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

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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
Simon Mulongo, a former African Union special envoy to Somalia and the Sahel, sees the same trend and argues the debate is no longer about whether Africa should partner with global powers but on what terms. Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 8 June 2026 Advance-decline lines for the S & P, which compare the number of stocks rising versus the number falling, have exhibited a similar trend . Tobias Burns, CNBC, 8 June 2026
Verb
What perfume notes are trending in 2026? Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 12 June 2026 Tributes poured in from fans and followers on social media, causing Ali’s name to trend for days. Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for trend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trend
Noun
  • Its backers anticipated the early vote would not break their way, but ballots cast on Election Day would turn the tide.
    Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026
  • Ukraine’s use of cutting edge drone technology is turning the tide in the war with Russia.
    Greg Dixon, NPR, 12 June 2026
Noun
  • Despite growing up with the warnings of skin cancer, Gen Z is falling for the tanning craze that befalls most generations.
    Sam Woodward, USA Today, 12 June 2026
  • That also means a lot of those opportunities are conflicted out for beauty brands still looking to get in on the sports craze.
    Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • Rainwater tends to gather along the road edges.
    KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 14 June 2026
  • The sociologists Roger Finke and Rodney Stark have argued that, historically, the most popular religious bodies tend to exert a countervailing force on the culture at large.
    Michael Luo, New Yorker, 14 June 2026
Verb
  • South Side Walk A long stretch of the Outerbelt begins on the South Side, runs through Jackson Park, past Steelworkers Park, and over the Calumet River before curving southwest out of Chicago.
    Midwest Living, Midwest Living, 12 June 2026
  • Matter recommends deep purple Violetta and curving Shuko for their colorful, sculptural look.
    Blythe Copeland, Martha Stewart, 12 June 2026
Noun
  • One of the main roads leading to the Butler Memorial Airport was closed in both directions on Sunday afternoon as authorities responded to the disaster, according to officials.
    Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 14 June 2026
  • Little signs of humanity appeared in every direction, quietly defusing what could have become a disaster instigated by fear.
    Antonio Ferme, Variety, 14 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
  • Pippa leaned across the table with a fork in her hand.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 June 2026
  • In the more northern, rural, and conservative-leaning of Maine's two congressional districts, gun rights and gas prices are particularly important to its residents.
    Margie Cullen, USA Today, 9 June 2026
Noun
  • The young David displayed hypergraphic tendencies—the compulsive need to make a mark, to depict.
    Mark Rozzo, Vanity Fair, 12 June 2026
  • There is a tendency in retail to discuss scale in operational terms.
    Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Trend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trend. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.

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