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

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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
That’s a shift from recent trends that saw young workers leave San Francisco for more affordable cities like Nashville and Orlando, and from rankings that name cheaper Midwest and Texas cities as the best places for new grads. — Andrew McGowan, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026 The trend is partly driven by majorities of millennial and Gen Z voters choosing to be unaffiliated with either party, according to Gallup research. — Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
Verb
Both Gervino and Lewis do expect Song of the Year nominees to trend much younger this year. — Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2026 Chunky strawberry-blonde highlights were placed throughout the red base, similar to the trending hair color aesthetic of the early- to mid-2000s. — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trend
Noun
  • Amid a national migration crisis, four young Cuban artists go against the tide and choose to stay.
    — Addie Morfoot, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Though Kansas hasn’t elected a Democratic senator in almost a century, the tide may be turning.
    — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Matt Van Horn, an entrepreneur who co-founded the ridesharing service that became Lyft, has been tinkering with agents since the craze started late last year.
    — Adam Clark Estes, Vox, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, Randy Marsh, Stan’s ever-adventurous father, decides to check out the looksmaxxing craze and has his face rated by users.
    — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Higher diesel prices – essential to transporting goods and agricultural production – tend to drive up costs across the wider economy and fuel inflation.
    — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2026
  • That his arguments and those made by the current administration against immigrants tend in a totalitarian direction cannot be denied.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Animators studied ostriches before feeding their digital movement curves into a six-axis mechanical rig carrying the performers.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The tangle of stubby points stood out like overgrown thumbs, and the down-curving prongs on either side of his head were at least a foot long.
    — Al Dawson, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • No other age bracket recorded a change in median net worth larger than 6% in either direction, according to Maggiulli, writing in his blog, Of Dollars and Data.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • When the plant roots encounter an area acidified by decaying plant matter—a chemical gradient distinct from that of animal matter—ABA builds up on the side facing the rot, encouraging growth in the other direction.
    — Joanna Thompson, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 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
  • Tijerina is part of a coalition of Hispanic and Latino voters who have long leaned Democratic but have more recently shown a willingness to vote for both parties.
    — Justin Papp, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Some conservatives have argued that they've been unfairly targeted by financial institutions, although the OCC found that some banks had also refused to do business with Democratic-leaning organizations.
    — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • For Guimaraes, a veteran community builder, the impulse behind Fashion Forward was born out of a sharp realization that the industry’s greatest bottleneck was its tendency to preach to its own choir.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The project places her among a wave of next-gen electronic artists like Ninajirachi, 2hollis and Jane Remover, all of whom are currently making left of center dance music with strong pop tendencies.
    — Katie Bain, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Trend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trend. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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