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 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 But the public fury directed at health insurance companies in the wake of Thompson's killing, combined with a growing populist wing of the Republican party, could shift the tenor. —

Maya Goldman, Axios, 12 Dec. 2024 In 1973 and 1974, along with tenor Giuseppe di Stefano, Callas undertook a series of recitals that would be her last. —

Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2024 Joshua Ray Walker's miraculous journey back to The Ryman's stage Joshua Ray Walker's miraculous recent survival of colon and lung cancer made the earnestness of his tenor hit differently on Thursday evening. —

Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 6 Dec. 2024 Legendary Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli will headline Christmas With Andrea Bocelli and Friends: A Grammy Holiday Special, a one-hour event airing Christmas Eve, December 24, at 8 p.m. ET on CBS. —

Marc Berman, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tenor

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tenor

Noun

And, of course, the application of a hero’s journey onto a single day where nothing really happens calls to mind another tome: Joyce’s Ulysses.

Grace Edquist, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2025
For the National Board of Review Annual Awards Gala in New York City on January 7, Fanning brought this staple style back to the red carpet—with a 2025 spin, of course.

Kara Nesvig, Allure, 8 Jan. 2025