tendency
noun
ten·den·cy
ˈten-dən(t)-sē 
plural tendencies
1
a
: a proneness to a particular kind of thought or action
b
: direction or approach toward a place, object, effect, or limit
2
a
: the purposeful trend of something written or said : aim
b
: deliberate but indirect advocacy
Examples of tendency in a Sentence
The economy has shown a general tendency toward inflation.
a tendency to drop things
Recent Examples on the Web
Chatbots can be persuasive, have a tendency to agree with users, and may offer guidance and companionship to kids who would ideally find support from peers or adults.
—
Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2025
This is a tendency towards viewing accessibility issues within their own silo, somewhat disconnected from the company’s core mission and messaging.
—Gus Alexiou, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Earhart was a complicated woman, highly skilled as a pilot yet with a tendency toward carelessness.
—ArsTechnica, 17 Sep. 2025
Connecting Kirk to musicians known for their progressive or liberal-minded tendencies is a particularly strange twist.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tendency
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Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2025
This is a tendency towards viewing accessibility issues within their own silo, somewhat disconnected from the company’s core mission and messaging.
—Gus Alexiou, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Earhart was a complicated woman, highly skilled as a pilot yet with a tendency toward carelessness.
—ArsTechnica, 17 Sep. 2025
Connecting Kirk to musicians known for their progressive or liberal-minded tendencies is a particularly strange twist.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tendency
Cite this Entry
“Tendency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tendency. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tendency
noun
ten·den·cy
ˈten-dən-sē
plural tendencies
1
: a direction or approach toward a place, object, result, or limit
2
: a leaning toward a particular kind of thought or action
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