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 As Canucks decision makers get down to brass tacks and hold high-level meetings with hockey operations leadership and the coaching staff this week, that’s the tenor of the discussion that now surrounds Vancouver’s 2025 first-round pick. Thomas Drance, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025 Miles Mykkanen’s Sam gets to unsheathe his glinting high tenor, and Lauren Snouffer’s 14-year-old Sarah tosses her lithe soprano voice into airborne vaults. Justin Davidson, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2025 At the height of the band's popularity, the band consisted of baritone William Lee Golden, tenor Bonsall, bass Richard Sterban and Duane Allen, the lead vocalist. Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 28 Sep. 2025 Alternating standards with original tunes, the ensemble includes tenor saxophonist Javon Jackson, trumpeter Eddie Henderson, and drummer Lenny White (a member of the original project). Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tenor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tenor
Noun
  • On Monday, of course, the problem wasn’t Durbin getting caught stealing.
    Andy McCullough, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Hat tips go to left tackle Jaylon Moore — who stepped in for Josh Simmons at the last minute, against one of the most dangerous pass rushers in the league — and, of course, Kelce.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In the face of that, Keaton’s off- and sometimes on-duty style represented limitless possibilities, and a previously incomprehensible kind of freedom.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Today, this restaurant wins over patrons with American-style comfort fare, like burgers, steaks, and sweet potato casserole.
    Erin Gifford, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Swim in a direction following the shoreline.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Add pasta; cook according to package directions for al dente.
    Elizabeth Mervosh, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • King said he was inspired in part by Rader’s arrest, more specifically, by his ability to keep his murderous tendencies completely unknown to the rest of his family.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2025
  • The Patriots defensive staff sifts through all kinds of data while scripting a game plan, from traditional player scouting reports, scheme tendencies, statistical analyses and film findings of their own.
    Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • His gist is both elegant and internally consistent as well as wholly unique.
    Abraham Josephine Riesman, Vulture, 28 July 2025
  • There was still some vagueness around specifics, but the basic gist of the deal is that European imports to the U.S. will mostly be tariffed at 15 percent.
    Niall Stanage, The Hill, 28 July 2025
Noun
  • Your disposition and attitude is an inspiration.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Despite his perverse and jock-like disposition, he is known to be a talented and knowledgeable surgeon.
    Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • By amplifying this phase signal through entanglement, the researchers could detect and correct laser drift more effectively.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2025
  • The divisions included endurance and sports race cars, supercars, flat track motorcycles, sprint cars, drift cars, vintage IndyCars, NASCAR, ASF Cup cars (American Speed Festival) and a new group called LROC (Ladies Race of Champions).
    Keenan Thompson, Freep.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • As Tuchel attested, England’s inclination to regain possession was as impressive as their work on the ball.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
  • But Iapetus’s inclination and equatorial ridge — which is more continuous on the Saturn-facing side — remain mysterious.
    Big Think, Big Think, 9 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tenor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenor. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on tenor

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!