1
as in supervises
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 grows
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 cultivates
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 manages
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tends
Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 17 Apr. 2026
Traditional ice cream tends to be lighter, while gelato is typically denser and creamier with egg yolks added.
—Tristan Graziano, Charlotte Observer, 17 Apr. 2026
Speculation about possible retirements tends to arise as the court approaches the end of its term.
—Jan Crawford, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
The watch was, however, 40mm in diameter, which tends to be on the large side for most women’s wrists.
—Charlie Boyd, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2026
For him, the reality is more nuanced than either side of the debate tends to admit.
—Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 17 Apr. 2026
Rainwater tends to accumulate at the road edges.
—Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2026
Her character tends to view her co-workers as competition and rub people the wrong way.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
Although the issue tends to fall along party lines, Democrats said Thursday that there could be some support from Republicans on their measure.
—Mary Murphy, Twin Cities, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
When new taxes are introduced, the market tends to adjust quickly—especially in the luxury segment, where there’s more flexibility to fine-tune numbers.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 17 Apr. 2026
Traditional ice cream tends to be lighter, while gelato is typically denser and creamier with egg yolks added.
—Tristan Graziano, Charlotte Observer, 17 Apr. 2026
Speculation about possible retirements tends to arise as the court approaches the end of its term.
—Jan Crawford, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
The watch was, however, 40mm in diameter, which tends to be on the large side for most women’s wrists.
—Charlie Boyd, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2026
For him, the reality is more nuanced than either side of the debate tends to admit.
—Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 17 Apr. 2026
Rainwater tends to accumulate at the road edges.
—Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2026
Her character tends to view her co-workers as competition and rub people the wrong way.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
Although the issue tends to fall along party lines, Democrats said Thursday that there could be some support from Republicans on their measure.
—Mary Murphy, Twin Cities, 17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tends. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
