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
Republicans argue these tactics reflect a tendency by the governor to prioritize optics over sustainable fiscal solutions.
—
Elaine Mallon, The Washington Examiner, 16 June 2025
Key inputs to this call include the tendencies of mature bull markets, some likely profit-margin slippage from tariffs, moderating earnings gains and the chance that the Fed will resume rate cuts in coming months.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 14 June 2025
The Trump era has a tendency to eschew surprise, but this kind of language from a governor aimed at an incumbent president feels unprecedented.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 13 June 2025
Iran has been unique among regional powers in its tendency to cultivate and arm allies abroad, and to aid those allies in their efforts in order to make trouble for incumbent autocracies, from Cairo to Baku to Sanaa.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tendency
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Elaine Mallon, The Washington Examiner, 16 June 2025
Key inputs to this call include the tendencies of mature bull markets, some likely profit-margin slippage from tariffs, moderating earnings gains and the chance that the Fed will resume rate cuts in coming months.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 14 June 2025
The Trump era has a tendency to eschew surprise, but this kind of language from a governor aimed at an incumbent president feels unprecedented.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 13 June 2025
Iran has been unique among regional powers in its tendency to cultivate and arm allies abroad, and to aid those allies in their efforts in order to make trouble for incumbent autocracies, from Cairo to Baku to Sanaa.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 13 June 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 20 Jun. 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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