as in prone
having a tendency to be or act in a certain way
people tending toward daily exercise will significantly reduce their risk of cardiac arrest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in leaning
to show a liking or proneness (for something)
her wardrobe tends toward dark colors and heavy fabrics
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in supervising
to take charge of especially on behalf of another
tend the store while I run an errand
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in growing
to look after or assist the growth of by labor and care
lately I haven't been doing a good job of tending my garden
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in cultivating
to work by plowing, sowing, and raising crops on
plots that during the war were tended by city dwellers as vegetable gardens
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in managing
to look after and make decisions about
the dying patriarch wondered who would tend the family business after he was gone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of tending
Tristan Bove, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026
Logging off healed the deep wound of constantly watching other people’s lives instead of tending to my own.
—Lee Tilghman, SELF, 28 Jan. 2026
The upcoming wet dress rehearsal will officially kick off about two full days ahead of its simulated T-0 liftoff time, as launch teams begin tending their stations.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 27 Jan. 2026
That series started from a similar place, with a central character trying to regain her footing after the shattering loss of a sibling and tending to deflect her sorrow with humor.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 27 Jan. 2026
Additional cast includes James Purefoy as Laban, the patriarch of a complicated household and the older brother of Rebekah, Will Stevens as Birham, who, much like his father Laban, prefers fun over tending the flock and Taylor Napier as Acar, the older and more dominant of Laban’s two sons.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026
In addition to tending to and harvesting from her pecan groves, my grandma and other elder women in the community would mix herbal concoctions at a moment’s notice using herbs, tree leaves, and other tree parts, as well as the aloe vera plants that were ever present on their kitchen windowsill.
—Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
The twin currents that run through these and all of his works, including his newest novel, Vigil, about a spirit tending to a dying oil executive, is large-heartedness paired with unsparing wit.
—Adrienne Lafrance, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
Stones, shaped by wind and rain and time, need attention and tending to stay stacked and balanced.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026
Verb
Instead of impulsive purchases and behaviors, people in the midst of a midlife crisis are really just struggling with kitchen table issues, including tending to their physical and mental health and supporting extended family.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026
Logging off healed the deep wound of constantly watching other people’s lives instead of tending to my own.
—Lee Tilghman, SELF, 28 Jan. 2026
The upcoming wet dress rehearsal will officially kick off about two full days ahead of its simulated T-0 liftoff time, as launch teams begin tending their stations.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 27 Jan. 2026
That series started from a similar place, with a central character trying to regain her footing after the shattering loss of a sibling and tending to deflect her sorrow with humor.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 27 Jan. 2026
Additional cast includes James Purefoy as Laban, the patriarch of a complicated household and the older brother of Rebekah, Will Stevens as Birham, who, much like his father Laban, prefers fun over tending the flock and Taylor Napier as Acar, the older and more dominant of Laban’s two sons.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026
In addition to tending to and harvesting from her pecan groves, my grandma and other elder women in the community would mix herbal concoctions at a moment’s notice using herbs, tree leaves, and other tree parts, as well as the aloe vera plants that were ever present on their kitchen windowsill.
—Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
The twin currents that run through these and all of his works, including his newest novel, Vigil, about a spirit tending to a dying oil executive, is large-heartedness paired with unsparing wit.
—Adrienne Lafrance, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
Stones, shaped by wind and rain and time, need attention and tending to stay stacked and balanced.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tending
Adjective
-
Now, long-distance runners are a special breed, and many of these men are prone to taking on strange and grueling challenges.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
30 Jan. 2026
-
In addition to imparting a fuller appearance almost instantly, the formula contains ingredients known to strengthen breakage-prone strands, ultimately allowing hair to grow to new lengths and reach its healthiest, bounciest potential.—
Sophie Wirt,
InStyle,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Teams might be less inclined to offer a blockbuster package for Antetokounmpo without knowing the full scope of his injury.—
Bryan Toporek,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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While Senate Democrats were initially frustrated by the DHS bill, many still seemed inclined to vote for the entire appropriations package rather than risk a partial shutdown.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tending. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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