trend 1 of 2

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

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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
While violent and property crime across almost every category has been down in Milwaukee in 2025 compared to this time last year, homicides have risen, continuing a trend that began six months ago. Jack Albright, jsonline.com, 9 July 2025 While celebrities and influencers have boosted the trend, funny memes and TikTok clips catapulted Labubu into virality, turning the dolls into ultra-desirable collectibles, like a monstrous incarnation of Beanie Babies. Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Verb
With a roster that was trending younger, Washington was brought on board before last season in something of a surprise hire after the team declined to pick up the contract option for previous manager Phil Nevin. Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 27 June 2025 As someone who trends introverted, being in a public space without needing to make constant small talk can be the perfect low-pressure dose of social interaction. Sunny Hubler, Charlotte Observer, 25 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for trend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trend
Noun
  • However, Schaeffer’s fiery response to Freeman’s strikeout clearly turned the tides in his dugout.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 29 June 2025
  • While the rising tide of corporate sustainability is creating worldwide big wave patterns, JCK and the Kering Group are surfing those waves together.
    Kyle Roderick, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • And who could forget the Trader Joe’s mini canvas tote TikTok craze that had shoppers swiping the supermarket’s stock to later DIY with ribbons, embroidery, and Jane Birkin-esque adornments?
    Footwear News, Footwear News, 3 July 2025
  • What started as a playful affirmation craze turned into a global conversation about mindset and the power of expectation.
    Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Sure, plenty of people have critiques of the Vision Pro, which in my opinion tend to be slightly premature.
    Anshel Sag, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
  • But here’s a general overview of the kinds of changes that tend to occur in our 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond.
    Elizabeth Yuko, Flow Space, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • The whole coast curved around us like a giant C—a huge bay that held the archipelago.
    James Rebanks June 26, Literary Hub, 26 June 2025
  • Fifteen minutes later, the tracks curve along the dramatic 39-mile coastline, revealing the turquoise sea and rocky limestone cliffs known as the calanques.
    Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • Moreover, some leadership teams today have heightened security concerns, in addition to the challenge of acting as the face and key driver of an organization’s strategic direction.
    Michele Dobnikar, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Art direction is led by Pawas Sawatchaiyamet (Monkey Man) and visual effects is headed by Lee Stringer (Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell, Star Wars: Clone Wars).
    Sara Merican, Deadline, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • The latests deaths included three residents of long-term care facilities in Dallas, as well as a Balch Springs man in his 20s and a Dallas man in his 60s.
    Dana Branham, Dallas News, 30 Apr. 2020
  • That equates to more than 45 million Americans using CBD products, based on latest available U.S. Census estimates.
    Brendan Bures, chicagotribune.com, 2 Oct. 2019
Verb
  • Podcasts, the top 500 podcasts in America, 400 of the top 500 are right- leaning, 100 are left-leaning, and of the 100 left-leaning ones, half of them beat the you-know what out of the Democrats.
    CBS News, CBS News, 6 July 2025
  • The district rejected Trump three times. Desmond, who appeared to be a moderate, pro-business mayor, has leaned more to the right as supervisor, largely supporting Trump on such issues as immigration and COVID policies.
    Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2025
Noun
  • Having been sober for many decades herself, Bev recognizes the narcissism of addiction, the way addicts have a tendency to put themselves at the center of the universe.
    Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025
  • People with avoidant tendencies often pull away emotionally, while those with anxious tendencies may cling out of fear.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Trend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trend. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

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