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
At the same time, today’s investors also need advisors who understand broader economic forces, from interest rates and capital markets to migration patterns and institutional investment trends. Lee Kiser, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026 The mesh heel trend continues to find fans in the celebrity set, from Tracee Ellis Ross to Zoe Saldaña. Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
Lululemon Half-Zip Tennis Pullover If fashion choices speak louder than words, then the volume on this new-but-already-trending Lululemon arrival is turned all the way up. Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2026 Cool-girl labels like The Row, Proenza Schouler, and Fforme have all released their takes on the heelless silhouette, and the effect is gorgeous—a luxe, eye-catching update to the sock boots that trended a decade ago. Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trend
Noun
  • But the political tide is shifting, with cities across the country switching to holding local elections when people vote for state and federal offices, too.
    David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026
  • However, government forces turned the tide earlier this month, striking Houthi positions on the Red Sea, on Yemen's western coast.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The largest post-pandemic month is still July 2023, thanks to the Barbenheimer craze.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Over the last several months, the brand has embraced the ongoing nostalgia craze and resurgence of Y2K styles and reference points.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • But to Porsha’s point about Candiace, sometimes these newer cities tend to lean more into the caricature of being a Real Housewife than show up organically and try to build a sisterhood.
    Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
  • That’s because postseason games tend to be close, and good lineups rarely let any starter last beyond six innings.
    Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The uppers dipped low at the sides, while the pump’s heel curved inward before widening slightly at its base.
    Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The foreground object can warp the fabric of spacetime in such a way that the light's path is curved.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 9 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Our study takes only a tiny step – but still a step – in that direction, helping to nail down the mechanism of exotic superconductivity in graphene.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The Florida Department of Transportation website notes that at least one lane in each direction will remain open at all times.
    Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 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
  • Streaming subscription prices have risen in recent years and media companies are leaning more on advertising to not only provide cheaper options to customers, but help grow revenue and profits.
    CJ Haddad,Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026
  • But when magic and money mix, some opt to lean into humanity’s worst instincts – perhaps with ominous consequences.
    Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Isolating Suzuki’s line-breaking passes demonstrates a tendency to clip the ball out towards the left wing.
    Aston Villa, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The techniques that made chatbots more capable can also bake in a tendency to hack, cheat and evade human oversight.
    Gerrit De Vynck, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Trend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trend. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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