TENDS Synonyms: 101 Similar and Opposite Words

tends 1 of 2

verb (1)

present tense third-person singular of tend

as in leans

to show a liking or proneness (for something) her wardrobe tends toward dark colors and heavy fabrics

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tends

2 of 2

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of tend

as in supervises

to take charge of especially on behalf of another tend the store while I run an errand

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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as in manages

to look after and make decisions about the dying patriarch wondered who would tend the family business after he was gone

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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

Verb

What tends to go viral on social media, Wagner said, are things that are highly emotional or often not verifiable or true. — Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026 On top of that, PNC tends to offer lower-than-average mortgage rates. — Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026 Researchers found that while support generally lowers distress, rising distress tends to reduce future support. — Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 For enterprise procurement teams in DFW’s growing healthcare and financial services logistics sectors, that certification tends to be a threshold requirement before a vendor conversation gets serious. — William Jones, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2026 Companies market high-protein diets to encourage weight loss because consuming more protein tends to increase feelings of fullness. — Linda M. Boland, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026 The approach favors discipline over reaction, the kind of steadiness that tends to matter most in the years when portfolios are tested. — Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026 Relief without a plan never ends up lasting long, and tends to end up making the pain worse in the long run. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026 This kind of reading tends to be brief and distracted, quite different from the focused attention encouraged by print. — Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tends

Verb

The menu leans into comfort — thick, chewy dough, generous toppings and a sauce that’s been a local talking point for years.

— USA TODAY Network, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
This timeless design leans casual, but the ruched toe adds a delicate touch that looks pretty with a dress or trousers.

— Sarah Scott, Southern Living, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of leans

Verb

The executive also coordinates and supervises county departments and is responsible for submitting an annual balanced budget to the Legislature.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026
Bardin also supervises the company’s equity fund, launched in 2025 to finance documentary films and series with commercial potential.

— Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of supervises

Verb

As forcible mobilisation grows to fill Ukraine’s ebbing ranks, so will anger at the presidency and military.

— Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
With each week that passes, Bonta’s leverage grows, though a few Hollywood guilds have flipped, potentially undermining that leverage.

— Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of grows

Verb

In 1840, shade-loving Croomia, which cultivates flowers on the underside of its leaves, was included as a native species.

— Candace Barone, Florida Times-Union, 15 Aug. 2026
This program cultivates leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, offering valuable work experience and income.

— Read Alliance, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of cultivates

Verb

The mall’s owners had sold the property to the Centurion Foundation, which manages real estate and development for universities and hospitals.

— Savannah Sicurella, AJC.com, 24 Aug. 2026
An improbable preparation that somehow manages to be immediately familiar and comforting, this cheeseburger fried rice is a little peek into all the fun going down at Agnes and Sherman in Houston, one of our Best New Restaurants of 2026.

— Nick Wong, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of manages

Verb

Everyone seemingly watches them — and a little tennis — with a $23 Honey Deuce in one hand, swaying to DJ Trizz’s mixes on the sound system.

— Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Barack Obama watches the fireworks after his acceptance of the Democratic presidential nomination at Invesco Field at Mile High at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver.

— Karen Morfitt, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of watches

Verb

The California facility was converted from a former joint venture automobile plant into Tesla’s primary early manufacturing hub and produces multiple models.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 23 Aug. 2026
Gemini creates a diagnostic quiz, identifies knowledge gaps, and produces shorter lessons around them.

— Dan Fitzpatrick, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of produces

Verb

Garden Path Combo Along a stone path, Erin plants an eye-catching combo of blue spruce, purple ajuga, sedges, and copper coral bells.

— Teresa Woodard, Midwest Living, 12 Aug. 2026
Repot plants every two to three years into fresh soil to minimize problems with salt buildup.

— Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2026