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
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
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
  • 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
  • Maine has the highest level of home heating oil usage in the country, and the rural nature of Maine’s second district means people tend to drive long distances.
    Margie Cullen, USA Today, 9 June 2026
  • Cafeterias are better because the noise tends to be more background in nature.
    Sloane Crosley, New Yorker, 8 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
  • 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
  • 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 14 Jun. 2026.

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