tendency

noun

ten·​den·​cy ˈten-dən(t)-sē How to pronounce tendency (audio)
plural tendencies
Synonyms of tendency
1
a
: a proneness to a particular kind of thought or action
b
: direction or approach toward a place, object, effect, or limit
2
a
: the purposeful trend of something written or said : aim
b
: deliberate but indirect advocacy

Synonyms of tendency

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tendency, trend, drift, tenor, current mean movement in a particular direction.

tendency implies an inclination sometimes amounting to an impelling force.

a general tendency toward inflation

trend applies to the general direction maintained by a winding or irregular course.

the long-term trend of the stock market is upward

drift may apply to a tendency determined by external forces

the drift of the population away from large cities

or it may apply to an underlying or obscure trend of meaning or discourse.

got the drift of her argument

tenor stresses a clearly perceptible direction and a continuous, undeviating course.

the tenor of the times

current implies a clearly defined but not necessarily unalterable course.

an encounter that changed the current of my life

Examples of tendency in a Sentence

The economy has shown a general tendency toward inflation. a tendency to drop things
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
There is a tendency for gloom to descend when thinking about Europe’s economic and business prospects. — Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026 Bonnell The enthusiast’s approach Bonnell’s team uses matters because electric motorcycles have an annoying tendency to make power delivery either spectacularly good or spectacularly stupid. — New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026 And those who are pregnant or have conditions such as diabetes, acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome or a tendency toward low blood sugar may require even more individualized guidance. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026 Although geopolitical analysts love to talk about turning points, crossroads, and dilemmas, many governments have a prosaic tendency to defy these dramatic predictions and muddle through. — Ben Bland, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tendency

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin tendentia, noun derivative of Latin tendent-, tendens, present participle of tendere "to extend outward, stretch, spread out, direct (one's course), aim (at a purpose)" (Medieval Latin, "to lead toward, move in a particular direction") — more at tender entry 3

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of tendency was in 1628

Phrases Containing tendency

Rhymes for tendency

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Browse Nearby Words

tendencious
tendency
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Cite this Entry

“Tendency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tendency. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

tendency

noun
ten·​den·​cy ˈten-dən-sē How to pronounce tendency (audio)
plural tendencies
1
: a direction or approach toward a place, object, result, or limit
2
: a leaning toward a particular kind of thought or action
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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