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
Because many young parents grew up at a time when diseases like measles were not common, there can be a tendency to not recognize their seriousness.
—
Andrew Montequin, jsonline.com, 22 July 2025
According to this report, such a tendency creates a false sense of immediacy, which can have a negative impact of real social relationships.
—Eric Wood, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
And reports of fraud can be seasonal, having a tendency to increase more than 18 percent in popular summer destinations during warm periods and more than 28 percent in popular winter destinations during cold seasons.
—Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 18 July 2025
According to a recent Anthropic study, most leading AI models have a tendency to opt for unethical means to pursue their goals or ensure their existence.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for tendency
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Andrew Montequin, jsonline.com, 22 July 2025
According to this report, such a tendency creates a false sense of immediacy, which can have a negative impact of real social relationships.
—Eric Wood, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
And reports of fraud can be seasonal, having a tendency to increase more than 18 percent in popular summer destinations during warm periods and more than 28 percent in popular winter destinations during cold seasons.
—Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 18 July 2025
According to a recent Anthropic study, most leading AI models have a tendency to opt for unethical means to pursue their goals or ensure their existence.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 17 July 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 29 Jul. 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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