Synonyms of tenor

tenor

noun

1

as in course

Related Words

• course
• direction
• gist
• drift
• sum
• essence
• meat
• bottom line
• core
• crux
• heart
• pith
• nucleus
• pivot
• keynote
• net
• content
• centerpiece
• nub
• body
• substance
• kernel
• root
• bull's-eye
• subject
• meat and potatoes
• point
• proposition
• theme
• hypothesis
• thesis
• nubbin
• purport

2

as in style

Related Words

• style
• tendency
• disposition
• inclination
• set
• mode
• proclivity
• bent
• bag
• usage
• turn
• convention
• practice
• deportment
• pattern
• regime
• use
• addiction
• form
• manners
• custom
• ritual
• second nature
• groove
• characteristic
• fashion
• habit
• mores
• regimen
• way
• habitude
• affectation
• routine
• trait
• drill
• rut
• airs
• attribute
• pose
• trick
• rote
• wont
• jog trot
• mark

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

Recent Examples of tenor

Just ask tenor Jonathan Burton, who has become one of America’s leading Canios, with 13 productions already under his belt. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025

The arrests, particularly that of Hall of Famer and Portland head coach Chauncey Billups, altered the tenor of this week’s conversations around the NBA, whose new season had started only two days earlier. —Andrew Greif, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2025

Verdi’s always-heartfelt opera features soprano Jamie Chamberlin and tenor Nathan Granner, real-life partners who will sing the leading roles of the impassioned Violetta and Alfredo. —Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025

Though Leo’s lyrics are raw and scribed with vigor and delivered with a backing choir that breaks down into soprano, alto, and tenor vibrato, the track feels too theatric and out of step sonically with the rest of the album. —Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025