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
What’s your favorite trend on TikTok right now? Bethy Squires, Vulture, 4 May 2026 There is nothing here that changes the character of the trend. Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 4 May 2026
Verb
The second half of the week is trending drier and quieter. Nelly Carreño, CBS News, 2 May 2026 But almost every team has already closed the gap and is trending ahead of 2025 on the sponsor side. Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 1 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for trend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trend
Noun
  • This frustrating bureaucratic situation has been part of California’s landscape for 50-plus years and there’s been no hope to rein in the abuses, but the tide seems to be turning following a variety of court cases and legislative efforts to limit the commission’s powers.
    Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 1 May 2026
  • The suit also cites the Disney-Fox deal and the Amazon-MGM merger as evidence that the industry is facing a tide of consolidation that must be stopped.
    Gene Maddaus, Variety, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • In early April, Ulta CEO Kecia Steelman told Yahoo Finance that the company is seeing more consumers buying hair treatment products as part of the GLP-1 craze.
    Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 2 May 2026
  • This month’s new releases include a body horror film that takes aim at the GLP-1 dieting craze, a communist multiverse adventure and a character study about high-level art forgery.
    David Faris, TheWeek, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • Granted, many of the commentators offering these predictions are employed by traditional universities, and might tend to believe more strongly in the enduring relevance of the academy.
    Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 5 May 2026
  • The theme of each Met Gala, which sets the tone for the evening’s dress code, tends to correspond with that year’s Costume Institute fashion exhibition.
    Dalila Muata, NBC news, 5 May 2026
Verb
  • Gently curving architecture leads you from the showroom entrance into the cozy, circular display room.
    Nathanael Gassett, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Architects Enrique Muller and Santiago Aspe designed a striking adobe-style cascade that drops nine levels down the rock in warm honey tones, curving with the cliff as if it were poured in place.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The global war concluded inconclusively, with territory changing hands in many directions.
    Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
  • Adjust the plan, and let that flexibility keep everything working without losing your own direction or sense of independence in the process.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 4 May 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
  • Mira leaned back, shimmied under the limbo ribbon, then popped up, grinning, and shot her arms out triumphantly.
    Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
  • Incumbent Marie Alvarado-Gil, now a Republican, faces a competitive challenge from within her party and a Democratic contender in a GOP-leaning Sierra district.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 4 May 2026
Noun
  • There's generally a tendency for organizations to focus too much on measuring or tracking input or activity, as opposed to output.
    Kristina Rex, CBS News, 1 May 2026
  • His playoff history and tendency to let up weak goals do raise some red flags.
    Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Trend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trend. Accessed 8 May. 2026.

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