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

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
With perfume trends increasingly centered around layering and personalization, matcha is popping up in new formats and price points. Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026 What’s behind the trend As much as a quarter of Florida’s population is projected to be age 65 and over by 2030, according to projections from the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service. Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
But for the first time in decades, overdose death rates are starting to trend down. Grey Gardner, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026 Earlier this year in January, the year 2016 was trending amongst Millennials on social media. José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 14 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trend
Noun
  • The tide does appear to have shifted for Peterson.
    Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 14 Mar. 2026
  • She’s been living in the community for decades and has seen tides of faces come and go.
    Xuan Juliana Wang, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The Twizzlers brand has introduced a new flavor of its fan-favorite Twizzlers straws that have been inspired by the dirty soda craze.
    Molly Burford, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2026
  • So why not jump aboard the latest paint color craze for an overhaul that’s perfectly on trend?
    Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The most powerful storms tend to come in the later part of the season.
    David Goodhue March 16, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Rainwater tends to stockpile on the edges of roads.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • To achieve the look, use a flatiron to gently curve the ends under before tucking behind your ears.
    Amanda Le, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026
  • In fact, topography made this impossible, and Costa had to curve one of the axes, resulting in the airplane shape that made his project famous.
    Sophia La Banca, JSTOR Daily, 11 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The nation is moving in two starkly different directions, with states such as Oklahoma, South Carolina and Kentucky phasing out their income tax to attract businesses and population.
    Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 Morning messages tug your focus in new directions.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Verb
  • Holtz in his later years became something of a caricature, like an actor who leans into the over-the-top quirks of his role.
    Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Bella Hadid followed suit, while also making appearances in the Italian city of design, styling a brown suede jacket with straight-leg denim and pointy boots, leaning into her now-infamous cowgirl-with-a-twist aesthetic.
    Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 17 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • There is a tendency at this time of the year to blind-resume compare – to throw up two schools with all their metrics and argue who does and doesn’t belong in the tournament.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026
  • The film noir tackles the corruptive tendencies of power, with Broderick Crawford as a populist politician who rises up as a Southern governor and wields dangerous influence.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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