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

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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

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
But Stingley also gave up a 50-yard passing touchdown, continuing a trend of this defense giving up explosive plays. — Jonathan M. Alexander, Houston Chronicle, 8 Nov. 2026 That’s five wins in a row for the Broncos, who move on to 7-2 and continue their trend as one of the best teams in the AFC. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 8 Nov. 2026
Verb
His latest obsession, however, has nothing to do with what’s trending on Instagram. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2026 While bob trends of late have given way to the super chic lob or the trending clavi-cut, Margot Robbie has emerged with a dramatically shorter, sharper, and much blonder bob. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trend
Noun
  • And as sea level rise pushes tides and groundwater levels higher, soaking up the dry dirt and drainage area Florida was built to rely on, even smaller storms could cause the kind of damage seen last week.
    — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Their marine adaptations must contend with wind, tides, wakes, moving ships, and dockside cranes.
    — Harry T Angell, Oc Register, 11 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • The world’s wealthiest are finding new ways to deploy their fortunes beyond luxury cars and yachts—and the latest craze is soccer.
    — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The company capitalized on the ballet flat craze by offering the popular style in a full spectrum of colors, prints and customizable options.
    — Justin Zacks, CNBC, 1 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • While Europe had industrial giants to be proud of, disruptors tended to be more successful in frontier technologies, according to Mettler.
    — Ian King, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Politics is cyclical, and swing voters have proved consistently in recent years that their loyalties tend in no particular direction.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Here, at the lonely eastern edge of Polynesia, the empty horizon seems to curve with the Earth itself.
    — Mark Johanson, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026
  • No-brainer options included handsome denims with a curving leg and neo-suiting playing on mixing rather than matching sets.
    — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • In some applications, the process can also work in the opposite direction.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Politics is cyclical, and swing voters have proved consistently in recent years that their loyalties tend in no particular direction.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 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
  • But the churn rate for teachers isn’t necessarily an issue, according to Robert Pondiscio, a senior fellow at the prominent conservative-leaning think tank American Enterprise Institute, who wrote a book on the school.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Treatments lean practical and recovery-focused, with deep-tissue and sports massages that zero in on quads, hips, and lower backs after long ski days.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Also exiled upstairs was Isabelle's mother, who had one foot in this world and one on the celestial plane, which resulted in a tendency to expose excess emotion and confide too much in strangers.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Presidents and their advisers have always had to guard against confirmation bias, our tendency to interpret evidence in light of our pre-existing beliefs and to under-weigh or dismiss facts that point to the contrary.
    — Keren Yarhi-Milo, Time, 8 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Trend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trend. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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