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

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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

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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
Continuously setting industry standards and re-imagining what cruise travel can be, the company manages to maintain its Dutch roots and history while keeping a firm grasp on modern travel trends. Claudia Alarcón, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026 Long-term laggard Let’s agree that one month is no trend. Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 18 May 2026
Verb
With vintage styles trending this year, designers are loving pieces like settees that have lived-in character to make rooms feel more inviting. Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 23 May 2026 But things sure are trending that way, aren’t they? Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 22 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for trend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trend
Noun
  • Their sacrifice helped turn the tide of World War II and led to the defeat of Nazi Germany less than a year later.
    David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2026
  • After a handful of seasons that were dominated by simple, somewhat austere quiet luxury and stealth wealth, the tide is shifting toward a more colorful—and simply more joyful—way of dressing.
    Rosana Lai, Glamour, 22 May 2026
Noun
  • The series also taps into the current craze of new-adult stories — that is, focused on characters in that stage of life between teen and full-fledged adulthood — many specifically set in the pressure-cooker environment that college and university settings naturally supply to make romance spark.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 22 May 2026
  • But observers worry the island’s heavy reliance on computer chipmakers and other technology companies carries risk if the AI craze becomes a bubble.
    Reuters, NBC news, 20 May 2026
Verb
  • And while running shoes tend to lean narrow, the toe-box on this style is a bit wider.
    Kaelin Dodge, InStyle, 25 May 2026
  • Just make sure to book a room facing the inner courtyard and not a city view on a lower floor, which tends to be noisier.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 May 2026
Verb
  • Gowns and slippers come with blue trims and the curving serif font of The Twenty Two’s quietly cool branding.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 May 2026
  • The kick curved and popped the back corner of the net, and Kocher ran away with arms outstretched and mouth agape, in slight disbelief of a goal that clinched a 2-1 win — and the third straight girls’ 3A state title for Colorado Academy.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 20 May 2026
Noun
  • In true Swiss fashion, Wengen features a number of chalet-style homes, snowcapped mountains, and bucolic scenes in nearly every direction.
    Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 25 May 2026
  • The average song length is around four minutes, and each one covers so much ground, changes direction so suddenly, and welcomes so many lyrical interpretations, that each of them can feel like the centerpiece, the moment where the central action takes place.
    Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 24 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
  • Where Soap was straightforwardly in the realm of sitcom—leaning toward broad humor, underlined stylistically by the presence of a laugh track—Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman knew just how to strike that sweet spot between screw-loose absurdity and genuine pathos.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
  • With Virginia keeping its current congressional map, which currently has six Democrats and five Republicans, Democratic candidates face the prospect of either running in a GOP-leaning district or of mounting primary bids to incumbent Democrats.
    Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 18 May 2026
Noun
  • Despite the brand’s promise of sustainability, shoppers have been noticing fast-fashion tendencies for years.
    Ashley Fetters Maloy, Washington Post, 22 May 2026
  • In general, women tend to live longer and healthier lives than men for a variety of reasons, including greater health consciousness and a tendency to avoid risky behaviors, but also genetic and hormonal factors.
    Katharina Buchholz, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Trend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trend. Accessed 25 May. 2026.

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