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
• practise
• form
• manners
• custom
• ritual
• second nature
• groove
• characteristic
• fashion
• habit
• mores
• regimen
• régime
• 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

Their arguments have the tenor and gravity of the bickering between Harry and Marv in Home Alone. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2025

When jurors came forward with concerns, Farber was strict about respecting the sanctity of deliberations and cautioned them not to discuss the content or tenor of jury room discussions, transcripts show. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025

Breckenridge also had to find the voice and emotional tenor of her take on Santa. —Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2025

Not even the quick change to the high temp of the boat cabin when I was lifted from the water seemed to affect the even tenor of its movement. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 6 Oct. 2025