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 Indeed, if the manual gearbox had the DSG automatic's ratios, the paragraphs above would have a very different tenor. ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2025 His tenor carries weight in that realm, too. Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025 By focusing on the BOJ’s overnight policy rate and by ignoring the money supply, most mainstream economists completely misdiagnosed the tenor of Japan’s monetary policy. Nino Paoli, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2025 Just hours into Dooley’s entry, the tenor of the race quickly turned negative, with Carter and Collins attacking the former football coach. Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 17 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tenor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tenor
Noun
  • That crisis could’ve served as a wake-up call—a sign that Macron should adopt a more collaborative approach, if not reconsider some of his more unpopular economic policies—but Macron took a different course.
    Cole Stangler, Time, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Their five-course tasting menu changes daily, but their creativity and warmth are always consistent.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Housed in a historic Germantown residence, the restaurant serves its brunch family-style, with strangers seated together at communal tables.
    Rai Mincey, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Tate McRae hit the red carpet in a custom sheer Grecian-style white gown by Ludovic de Saint Sernin.
    Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Mother Monster took home the artist of the year award, best collaboration, best direction, and best art direction at the MTV Video Music Awards, which took place at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.
    Clare Fisher, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Once the band reaches your chest, slowly reverse the direction, keeping your elbows straight.
    Jakob Roze, Health, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Nowadays people see small images on their phones so there’s a tendency to crop in on everything.
    Adam Morganstern, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • With that said, his biggest flaw remains a tendency to sail throws high from the pocket.
    Tim Crowley, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 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
  • The appellate court must decide if it will be decided in a summary disposition, whether briefs will be submitted either with or without oral arguments, or whether the case should be certified to the Wisconsin Supreme Court for consideration, which is considered rare.
    Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025
  • What’s evident is that Elizabeth shares a disposition with her satirical father.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Many men disconnect from their family to get a reprieve from these sentiments, which deepens the drift.
    Linsey Hughes, Flow Space, 10 Sep. 2025
  • No Model Ts, no Chevrolet Ds, no Overland Model 90Bs, no automobiles in the thick drifts of snow on the streets.
    Beth Kephart September 10, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Kinloch noted the Legislature has shown no inclination to advance bills that create arena taxes.
    Malachi Barrett, Freep.com, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Vesting oversight primarily in defense departments and ministries is a traditional inclination.
    GARY ROUGHEAD, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Tenor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenor. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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