trend 1 of 2

Definition of trendnext
1
as in tide
a prevailing or general movement or inclination according to the survey, there's a growing trend for companies to run their own day-care centers for the benefit of employees

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2

trend

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to tend
to show a liking or proneness (for something) during the winter our school system trends toward canceling school at the drop of a hat—or at least a snowflake

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to curve
to turn away from a straight line or course the river trends east, then west again, forming an oxbow

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of trend are current, drift, tendency, and tenor. While all these words mean "movement in a particular direction," trend applies to the general direction maintained by a winding or irregular course.

the long-term trend of the stock market is upward

When can current be used instead of trend?

In some situations, the words current and trend are roughly equivalent. However, current implies a clearly defined but not necessarily unalterable course.

an encounter that changed the current of my life

When is drift a more appropriate choice than trend?

The synonyms drift and trend are sometimes interchangeable, 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 trend?

The words tendency and trend are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, tendency implies an inclination sometimes amounting to an impelling force.

a general tendency toward inflation

When is it sensible to use tenor instead of trend?

The meanings of tenor and trend largely overlap; however, tenor stresses a clearly perceptible direction and a continuous, undeviating course.

the tenor of the times

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 trend
Noun
How does the snack-workout trend compare to other short-intensity workouts like tabata? Jeanne Ballion, Vogue, 1 June 2026 What Inspired the Shades of the Summer Krylon's six shades are all inspired by current summer trends that home decor enthusiasts can't get enough of. Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 June 2026
Verb
Ahead, find the five deep and unexpected hues nail artists predict will trend through June. Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 6 June 2026 Rates have been mostly trending higher since the war with Iran began, disrupting the passage of tankers ferrying crude oil from the Persian Gulf to customers worldwide. ABC News, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for trend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trend
Noun
  • Allied forces stormed the beach at Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944, effectively turning the tide of World War II.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 29 May 2026
  • The importance of the weather D-day, secretly known as Operation Overlord, was timed based on several factors, including the weather, the tides and the moonlight.
    Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Noun
  • That kicked off the weight-loss-medication craze.
    Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 26 May 2026
  • The series also taps into the current craze of new-adult stories — that is, focused on characters in that stage of life between teen and full-fledged adulthood — many specifically set in the pressure-cooker environment that college and university settings naturally supply to make romance spark.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 22 May 2026
Verb
  • Analysts say younger, progressive voters tend to hold onto their ballots longer than conservatives.
    Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
  • Perhaps because Mansfield died young, at thirty-four, of tuberculosis, her adult and middle-aged characters tend to feel a bit archetypical by comparison.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
Verb
  • Starodubtseva then curved a backhand of her own to break the sideline and send Rybakina almost into the crowd.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 27 May 2026
  • Gaming Monitor Deals This 32-inch LG UltraGear curved gaming monitor features a steep, immersive 1000R curvature matching the human field of view.
    Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 26 May 2026
Noun
  • Reid plays this so well, but the direction is a little over the top, with drug-trip visuals that are too distracting to follow the dense-as-ever disjointed narration.
    Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 8 June 2026
  • The suspect appeared to fire a gun indiscriminately in the direction of several people and then ran back toward the apartments, Perez said.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 June 2026
Noun
  • The latests stats mean AI music has exploded by 650% in 16 months.
    James Peckham, PC Magazine, 20 Apr. 2026
  • The latests forecasts show a new round of storm systems will increase rain chances across much of Northern California and the Central Valley in the coming days.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 9 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Paintbox, the kids' club, has daily activities that lean into the resort's natural environment and wildlife, and Low Country culture.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
  • The cities on the list included Nashville, Dallas, Austin, Houston, Phoenix and Atlanta from traditionally right-leaning states Tennessee, Texas, Arizona and Georgia.
    Lindsay Kornick, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026
Noun
  • There is still a tendency in tech to assume serious funding has to flow through San Francisco or New York, but capital is increasingly available in markets that historically sat outside the center of the venture ecosystem.
    Hebron Sher, Fortune, 29 May 2026
  • Overprivileged students had a tendency to see teachers and headmasters not as authority figures but as people of lower social standing.
    Thomas Adam, The Conversation, 29 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Trend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trend. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.

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