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

Relevance

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 His tenor for cooperation allowed that good ideas don’t come with party registration. —

Alan Wooten | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 12 Jan. 2025 Despite the near-miss, the tenor among Republicans leaving the floor Friday was one of hope and relief. —

Riley Beggin, USA TODAY, 3 Jan. 2025 Joseph Coffey, White House Heritage: Plays the tenor saxophone in school's marching and concert bands as part of the band program for five years now. —

Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 22 Dec. 2024 But the finished product feels relatively humorless, leaving the cast looking silly in scenes that might conceivably have flown if played as deadpan comedy — not a tenor achieved or seemingly even aimed for here. —

Dennis Harvey, Variety, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for tenor

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tenor

Noun

Guests enjoyed a watermelon salad for an appetizer, then chose between a filet mignon, chicken breast or mushroom risotto for their main course before diving into slices of a four-tier vanilla wedding cake and spoonfuls of mango sorbet topped with Tajín.

— Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 20 Jan. 2025
Both, of course, made coaching changes in the offseason and have almost entirely new rosters.

— CJ Moore, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025