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

In addition, presidential approval tends to erode after a brief honeymoon period. —Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025

This is the Nvidia Founders Edition of the 5090, and these tend to be trimmer than most. —John Burek, PCMAG, 20 Jan. 2025

Where to Stay There are a couple of different accommodation types for Beech Mountain visitors staying overnight, but rentals tend to be the most popular. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 20 Jan. 2025

But, as Botman found with this ball to Gordon against Arsenal, the natural curl on the ball tends to take the ball away from the recipient and curl out of play over the byline. —Michael Cox, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025