trend 1 of 2

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

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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
In happier news, this bold bookstore stance seems to have set a local trend. Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 27 June 2025 The fisherman trend is the cutest (and most compelling) look of the season. Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 27 June 2025
Verb
With a roster that was trending younger, Washington was brought on board before last season in something of a surprise hire after the team declined to pick up the contract option for previous manager Phil Nevin. Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 27 June 2025 As someone who trends introverted, being in a public space without needing to make constant small talk can be the perfect low-pressure dose of social interaction. Sunny Hubler, Charlotte Observer, 25 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for trend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trend
Noun
  • However, Schaeffer’s fiery response to Freeman’s strikeout clearly turned the tides in his dugout.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 29 June 2025
  • While the rising tide of corporate sustainability is creating worldwide big wave patterns, JCK and the Kering Group are surfing those waves together.
    Kyle Roderick, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • The brand tapped into the tennis craze with two versions of its EJ Egg Rocket style paying tribute to the Wimbledon and Roland Garros tournaments.
    Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 23 June 2025
  • Naked by David Sedaris (1997) $10 $18 now 44% off This is the book that really made David Sedaris famous, and kicked off the memoir craze that never really stopped.
    Brian Boone, Vulture, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • His turnover rate is sky high, which tends to be a bad indicator.
    Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 26 June 2025
  • Rainwater tends to stockpile on the edges of roads.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • The whole coast curved around us like a giant C—a huge bay that held the archipelago.
    James Rebanks June 26, Literary Hub, 26 June 2025
  • Fifteen minutes later, the tracks curve along the dramatic 39-mile coastline, revealing the turquoise sea and rocky limestone cliffs known as the calanques.
    Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • These initiatives build on 10 Corso Como’s increasing focus on boosting its cultural programming, as part of the new direction under the vision of Tiziana Fausti.
    Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 1 July 2025
  • Art direction is led by Pawas Sawatchaiyamet (Monkey Man) and visual effects is headed by Lee Stringer (Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell, Star Wars: Clone Wars).
    Sara Merican, Deadline, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • That equates to more than 45 million Americans using CBD products, based on latest available U.S. Census estimates.
    Brendan Bures, chicagotribune.com, 2 Oct. 2019
Verb
  • For example, under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo from 2001 to 2010, the Philippines leaned toward China.
    Yuen Foong Khong, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
  • With the exception of Tilson, the candidates generally lean left, and their supporters may be more likely to rank Mamdani than Cuomo down ballot.
    Ben Adler, USA Today, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • Having been sober for many decades herself, Bev recognizes the narcissism of addiction, the way addicts have a tendency to put themselves at the center of the universe.
    Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025
  • People with avoidant tendencies often pull away emotionally, while those with anxious tendencies may cling out of fear.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Trend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trend. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

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