Synonyms of tend

tend 1 of 2

verb (1)

ˈtend 

as in to lean

to show a liking or proneness (for something)

her wardrobe tends toward dark colors and heavy fabrics

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lean
• incline
• go
• run
• trend
• gravitate
• indicate
• suggest
• point

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• avoid
• shun
• shy (from or away from)

tend

2 of 2

verb (2)

1

as in to watch

to take charge of especially on behalf of another

tend the store while I run an errand

Synonyms & Similar Words

• watch
• supervise
• oversee
• manage
• attend
• operate
• protect
• look after
• run
• see to
• control
• care (for)
• mind
• guard
• govern
• see after
• take care of
• conduct
• regulate
• superintend
• guide
• direct
• safeguard
• patrol
• preside (over)
• administrate
• shield
• mother
• baby
• steward
• babysit
• shepherd
• chaperon
• chaperone

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• forget
• ignore
• abandon
• disregard
• neglect
• pass over

2

as in to grow

to look after or assist the growth of by labor and care

lately I haven't been doing a good job of tending my garden

Synonyms & Similar Words

• grow
• cultivate
• produce
• promote
• raise
• culture
• plant
• harvest
• dress
• crop
• propagate
• breed
• rear
• gather
• reap
• sow
• glean
• ripen
• sprout
• germinate
• quicken
• root

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• kill
• pick
• dig
• pull (up)
• cut
• pluck
• hay
• uproot
• extirpate
• mow

3

as in to cultivate

to work by plowing, sowing, and raising crops on

plots that during the war were tended by city dwellers as vegetable gardens

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cultivate
• till
• plant
• farm
• harvest
• reap
• crop
• hoe
• harrow
• sharecrop

4

as in to manage

to look after and make decisions about

the dying patriarch wondered who would tend the family business after he was gone

Synonyms & Similar Words

• manage
• operate
• supervise
• oversee
• handle
• regulate
• run
• control
• conduct
• govern
• keep
• overlook
• direct
• administer
• guide
• protect
• carry on
• preside (over)
• watch over
• watch
• steer
• administrate
• lead
• superintend
• steward
• care (for)
• safeguard
• mind
• guard
• pilot
• micromanage
• stage-manage
• comanage
• codirect

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of tend

Verb

The body tends to absorb it well from animal sources like beef jerky.6 3. —Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 31 Jan. 2025

The Heat tend to change players for the better due to the strong culture that the organization exhibits. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025

Spruce trees tend to be adapted to colder areas in high elevations and poor soils. —Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 31 Jan. 2025

Placebos tend to have large effects in pain studies too, which complicates their interpretation. —Brenda Goodman, CNN, 30 Jan. 2025