Thesaurus results for TENOR

Q: How is the word 'tenor' different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of tenor are current , drift , tendency , and trend . While all these words mean "movement in a particular direction," tenor stresses a clearly perceptible direction and a continuous, undeviating course. // the tenor of the times

Q: When is 'current' a more appropriate choice than 'tenor'?

While the synonyms current and tenor are close in meaning, current implies a clearly defined but not necessarily unalterable course. // an encounter that changed the current of my life

Q: In what contexts can 'drift' take the place of 'tenor'?

The words drift and tenor can be used in similar contexts, 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

Q: When might 'tendency' be a better fit than 'tenor'?

Although the words tendency and tenor have much in common, tendency implies an inclination sometimes amounting to an impelling force. // a general tendency toward inflation

Q: When would 'trend' be a good substitute for 'tenor'?

The meanings of trend and tenor largely overlap; however, trend applies to the general direction maintained by a winding or irregular course. // the long-term trend of the stock market is upward

tenor

noun

Definition of tenor next

as in course

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in style

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word tenor different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of tenor are current, drift, tendency, and trend. While all these words mean "movement in a particular direction," tenor stresses a clearly perceptible direction and a continuous, undeviating course.

the tenor of the times

When is current a more appropriate choice than tenor?

While the synonyms current and tenor are close in meaning, current implies a clearly defined but not necessarily unalterable course.

an encounter that changed the current of my life

In what contexts can drift take the place of tenor?

The words drift and tenor can be used in similar contexts, 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 tenor?

Although the words tendency and tenor have much in common, tendency implies an inclination sometimes amounting to an impelling force.

a general tendency toward inflation

When would trend be a good substitute for tenor?

The meanings of trend and tenor largely overlap; however, trend applies to the general direction maintained by a winding or irregular course.

the long-term trend of the stock market is upward

Examples of tenor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Musically, the adjustment seems minor — Bobby goes from being a tenor to a soprano. —

Jordan Riefe, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 July 2024 The original lineup included Rutha Mae Harris, Charles Neblett and Cordell Reagon, a tenor who had joined the civil rights struggle in Nashville and married Dr. Reagon in 1963. —

Harrison Smith, Washington Post, 19 July 2024 As much as familiarity seems to be going about its age-old business of breeding contempt, an ongoing effort to nudge the sitting president from the top of the Democratic ticket would change the tenor of this election overnight. —

Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 19 July 2024 Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson expected that the shooting would change the tenor of the event. —

Alison Dirr, Journal Sentinel, 15 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for tenor

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tenor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.