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

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
Dua Lipa is looking to the animal kingdom for nail inspo—and reviving a mid-2010s mani trend in the process. Kara Nesvig, Allure, 15 Oct. 2025 Following a similar trend from the past two years, consumers are also prioritizing experiences, like holiday get togethers and parties. Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for the Tennessean. Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 15 Oct. 2025 Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 15 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for trend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trend
Noun
  • That’s likely to make voters think twice before unseating her, even when national tides run against Republicans.
    Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
  • For years, technological, geographical and financial hurdles impeded wave and tide energy development.
    Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The bag charm craze is officially getting the indie artist treatment.
    Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Saunders also cited concerns about slowing foot traffic at shopping malls – and the chance that the current collectibles craze could go the way of Beanie Babies and Cabbage Patch kids in years past.
    Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But many owners who’ve had their vehicle for a long time tend to have an attachment to that vehicle.
    Eric D. Lawrence, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Meals are hyper-locally sourced, in part from the garden out back tended by the head of grounds—who also doubles as the yoga instructor—and serve as an education to the flora and fauna of the desert.
    Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • At an altitude of 625 kilometers, an 18-meter reflector — even if optimally curved to focus that light down onto the Earth’s surface — would create a spot of light just-under 6 km across on Earth’s surface.
    Big Think, Big Think, 15 Oct. 2025
  • This Samsung Odyssey curved monitor deal sets you up with pro visuals at a much friendlier $179 price tag on Walmart.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Swim in a direction following the shoreline.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Add pasta; cook according to package directions for al dente.
    Elizabeth Mervosh, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2025
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
  • Most major news brands decline Pentagon censorship rules A dozen or more major media companies, including conservative-leaning newsrooms, have refused to sign a pledge to only report officially approved news from the Pentagon.
    Diane Brady, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Those include the New York Times, AP, Reuters, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, Politico, NewsNation and the Hill, along with conservative-leaning outlets like Newsmax and the Washington Examiner.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • King said he was inspired in part by Rader’s arrest, more specifically, by his ability to keep his murderous tendencies completely unknown to the rest of his family.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2025
  • The Patriots defensive staff sifts through all kinds of data while scripting a game plan, from traditional player scouting reports, scheme tendencies, statistical analyses and film findings of their own.
    Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 11 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Trend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trend. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

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