tenor

Synonym Chooser

How is the word tenor different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of tenor are current, drift, tendency, and trend. While all these words mean "movement in a particular direction," tenor stresses a clearly perceptible direction and a continuous, undeviating course.

the tenor of the times

When is current a more appropriate choice than tenor?

While the synonyms current and tenor are close in meaning, current implies a clearly defined but not necessarily unalterable course.

an encounter that changed the current of my life

In what contexts can drift take the place of tenor?

The words drift and tenor can be used in similar contexts, but drift may apply to a tendency determined by external forces, or it may apply to an underlying or obscure trend of meaning or discourse.

the drift of the population away from large cities
got the drift of her argument

When might tendency be a better fit than tenor?

Although the words tendency and tenor have much in common, tendency implies an inclination sometimes amounting to an impelling force.

a general tendency toward inflation

When would trend be a good substitute for tenor?

The meanings of trend and tenor largely overlap; however, trend applies to the general direction maintained by a winding or irregular course.

the long-term trend of the stock market is upward

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 tenor Here, ahead of Trump’s second swearing-in on Monday—when acts including Carrie Underwood and American tenor Christopher Macchio are set to perform in the US Capitol’s rotunda—Vogue takes a look at some of the most memorable performances in inaugural history. Keaton Bell, Vogue, 19 Jan. 2025 American tenor Christopher Macchio will sing the National Anthem. Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 17 Jan. 2025 The 78-year-old's pleading tenor, which Rolling Stone magazine ranked as one of the 100 greatest voices of the rock era, developed in church as a boy. Anthony Mason, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2025 Of course, efficient collaboration starts at the top, with the tenor set by an organization’s executive leaders. Kate Vitasek, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for tenor 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tenor
Noun
  • What constitutes such legitimate power is, of course, recursively in the hands of the executive, which is another way of saying Trump really should be above all other branches of government.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2025
  • That judgment works for me, but of course in their lively custom NR readers should feel free to improve my understanding of the matter in the comments section.
    Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 11 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The Post-Season Pick ($16.99) comes with 10 wings any style, curly fries, and a Pepsi or Bud Light for $16.99.
    Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025
  • The Green Tile Social Club game follows the Hong Kong style of play.
    Claire Turrell, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Only a less delusional motivation, a larger conception of self-interest, can move the world in a less delusional direction.
    Winslow Myers, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
  • The refiners are given very unconventional directions to the cave.
    Erin Qualey, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • While her closeness to Erivo is one of the current discussion points around the film, Grande has had a tendency throughout her entire career to put friendship at the forefront.
    Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 4 Feb. 2025
  • The Recording Academy has long had a tendency to give Album of the Year to artists who were well overdue for the honor.
    Al Shipley, SPIN, 3 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • In some instances, the glasses got the correct gist across but failed to capture some nuances of what was being said to me.
    Victoria Song, The Verge, 24 Jan. 2025
  • His gist is both elegant and internally consistent as well as wholly unique.
    Abraham Josephine Riesman, Vulture, 29 July 2024
Noun
  • Police Conley noted two instances for which Colbert was charged with drugging another person, once in Nevada in 2022 and another time in Jefferson Parish, La., though the chief did not provide details on either incident or information of the disposition of those cases.
    Liam Quinn, People.com, 7 Feb. 2025
  • Had there been any discipline, the final disposition of discipline and specific reasons for the discipline would have been public data under state law.
    Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 31 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • This drift carries the node early this year through the March equinox, and hence the moon's path is tilted 23.5 degrees + 5 degrees = 28.5 degrees to the equator.
    Joe Rao, Space.com, 6 Feb. 2025
  • But there’s something dingy and gross, like mottled drifts of old snow, about the overweening influence of Trump’s courtiers and their grubbing relationship with a president so obviously enamored of money and flattery.
    Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • But Trump has shown no inclination to adhere to the separation of powers that gives a lead role to Congress.
    David G. Savage, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2025
  • Western inclinations were prevalent, especially in the tiny floral details that were emblazoned throughout the number.
    Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 3 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near tenor

Cite this Entry

“Tenor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenor. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on tenor

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