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

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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

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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
Bolt is available in Ultramarine, a sulfur-bottom dye that creates an underwater undertone, giving the blue a distinctive depth that Finkler said aligns perfectly with current color trends. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 26 Jan. 2026 Republicans, meanwhile, see a more favorable map that will likely result in them retaining Senate control, although the latest polling and voter registration trends are certainly making party leaders skittish. Philip Elliott, Time, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 31 Jan. 2026 Isa Almeida is a trending reporter for The Oklahoman. Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 31 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trend
Noun
  • Redesignating it and banning all fishing at the reef and within 1,000 feet of the low-tide line on an eight-mile stretch of beach, Gibbs said, would reduce confusion about what people can and cannot take.
    Kenny Choi, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
  • This victory demonstrated a new tide in the game music scene.
    Billboard Japan, Billboard, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • In the half decade since the meme stock craze, individual investors have become a force that their institutional counterparts can't ignore.
    Alex Harring, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
  • The original Help album, released at the height of the Britpop craze, included an instrumental track from Blur.
    Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Couples dance on the grass while chefs across the park tend bubbling pots of jambalaya and gumbo.
    Phil Thomas, Travel + Leisure, 1 Feb. 2026
  • Alonso, Tuma, and Muñozcano—despite all being men—showed a feminist approach to the care of our group during in-person sessions, literally feeding us and tending to our needs.
    Catherine Taft, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The living room has a curving staircase on one side and French doors opening to a dining area on the other.
    Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Hallie Henley Sims inherited her own grandmother’s curved back settee and chose to keep the original orange velvet upholstery intact.
    Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Will this be the fashion direction of his Together, Together Tour later this year?
    Christian Allaire, Vogue, 2 Feb. 2026
  • Egypt has said the crossing must function in both directions and has pushed back against any use of Rafah as a mechanism to permanently displace Palestinians from Gaza.
    Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 2 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • These latests features are designed for enterprises who want to integrate their AI technology with either existing Salesforce data or even their own data.
    Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The latests deaths included three residents of long-term care facilities in Dallas, as well as a Balch Springs man in his 20s and a Dallas man in his 60s.
    Dana Branham, Dallas News, 30 Apr. 2020
Verb
  • Just down the street, the Black Forest Inn is also leaning into service, offering coffee, soup and a warm place to gather.
    Derek James, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Instead of reinventing its brand to appeal to younger wine drinkers, Jordan has leaned deeper into food—because food is the universal entry point.
    Emily Price, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • In these cases, crypto prices have demonstrated a historical tendency to benefit.
    Matthew Kayser, Freep.com, 30 Jan. 2026
  • The team has also shown a tendency to sign former top-100 draft picks heading into a second contract.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Trend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trend. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.

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