tendency
11 synonyms and 0 antonyms for tendency, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A natural inclination to behave or happen in a particular way.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use tendency
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin tendentia, from tendens, the present participle of the Latin verb tendere ("to stretch, tend toward").
Full origin of tendency →Frequently asked questions
What does “tendency” mean?
The word “tendency” means a natural inclination to behave or happen in a particular way. In plain terms, a pattern or leaning toward doing something in a particular way.
How do you pronounce “tendency”?
“Tendency” is pronounced TEHN-duhn-see (/ˈtɛn.dən.si/ in IPA).
How do you use “tendency” in a sentence?
Here is “tendency” used in a sentence: “He has a tendency to interrupt people mid-sentence.”
What is another word for “tendency”?
Words with a similar meaning to “tendency” include inclination, disposition, propensity, penchant and trend.
What part of speech is “tendency”?
“Tendency” is a noun.
Where does the word “tendency” come from?
The word “tendency” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin tendentia, from tendens, the present participle of the Latin verb tendere ("to stretch, tend toward").
Is “tendency” a common word?
“Tendency” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between a 'tendency' and a 'habit'?
A tendency is a natural inclination to behave or happen in a certain way, often without conscious effort. A habit is a settled, repeated action that has usually been learned through practice. You can have a tendency you were born with, whereas a habit is something you develop over time.
What is the difference between 'tendency' and 'trend'?
A tendency is usually a personal or inherent inclination to act a certain way. A trend is a broader, general direction of change seen across a group, market, or period of time. So an individual has tendencies, while a whole society or industry shows trends.
What preposition follows 'tendency'?
'Tendency' is most often followed by 'to' plus a verb, as in 'a tendency to overreact,' or by 'toward(s)' plus a noun, as in 'a tendency toward caution.' Both patterns are correct and common. 'For' is occasionally used but is less standard.
Is 'tendency' positive or negative?
'Tendency' is neutral in itself and can describe helpful or harmful inclinations. In practice it is often used for less desirable traits, as in 'a tendency to procrastinate.' The surrounding words decide whether the tendency is good or bad.
