tenor

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 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 tenor Gaga and Bennett are fine, yet a spectacular tenor sax solo outshines them both. Kristen S. Hé, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2024 Company music director Eun Sun Kim conducts this opera of epic romance, with two top international artists — tenor Simon O’Neill and soprano Anja Kampe — in the title roles. Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2024 And although the film is inspired by the exaggerated tenor of telenovelas, the actor brings tender humanity (not to mention quite sharp edges) to both without turning them into caricatures. Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 1 Nov. 2024 The voice was unmistakable, that warbling tenor that has tinted dozens of soul/R&B/pop classics for more than 60 years. Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 16 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tenor 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tenor
Noun
  • The club, of course, went on to win 74 games, miss the playoffs and finish last in the American League East.
    Kaitlyn McGrath, The Athletic, 10 Dec. 2024
  • During the course of that investigation, Tesla made changes to its systems, including with a myriad of over-the-air software updates.
    Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Vogue Daily newsletter Get essential fashion, style, and tips, in your inbox.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 15 Dec. 2024
  • One of the biggest things that shaped Rivera’s success and style as a head coach is his military upbringing, due to being the son of a U.S. Army Warrant Officer.
    DJ Siddiqi, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • But her official team online, known as Taylor Nation, used its social media accounts to point fans in the direction of a new section on Swift’s website that’s dedicated to archiving material across eras.
    Ashley Iasimone, Billboard, 14 Dec. 2024
  • The alignment of the stones corresponds with the direction of the southernmost moonrise.
    Carlie Procell, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The High Performer's Dilemma: A Focus on Gaps High achievers, particularly perfectionists, thrive on results and continuous improvement, which can lead to a tendency to dwell too long on shortcomings.
    Luciana Paulise, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
  • Over his years on Days, Clyde committed murder, rape, and blackmail, displayed both homophobic and misogynistic tendencies, was thrown in and busted out of prison, and ran a drug ring.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • His gist is both elegant and internally consistent as well as wholly unique.
    Abraham Josephine Riesman, Vulture, 29 July 2024
  • In any case, the major gist is that AI can generate false or bizarre content.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • Taking up lots of space in the frame and spreading your limbs wide creates a powerful disposition.
    Margaret Cirino, NPR, 6 Dec. 2024
  • The Pollocks were apprehended and await disposition of their case.
    Antonio Fins, USA TODAY, 15 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • But especially in the short term, Trump’s policies toward the region are likely to be highly disruptive—and could risk pushing key Latin American countries further away from Washington rather than reversing the drift of recent years.
    Brian Winter, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2024
  • Saxophones, synths, and fretless bass drift in weightless formation.
    Pitchfork, Pitchfork, 5 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Credit card rewards function as a tax on those without credit cards and those with credit cards but without the ability or inclination to keep up with the panoply of options.
    David G.W. Birch, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
  • Hegseth himself has not shown any inclination toward a withdrawal.
    Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 15 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near tenor

Cite this Entry

“Tenor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenor. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on tenor

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