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noun

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as in wind
noticeable movement of air in a particular direction curtains that were being lightly lifted by a fresh current from the open window

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word current different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of current are drift, tendency, tenor, and trend. While all these words mean "movement in a particular direction," current implies a clearly defined but not necessarily unalterable course.

an encounter that changed the current of my life

When would drift be a good substitute for current?

While in some cases nearly identical to current, 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 current?

While the synonyms tendency and current are close in meaning, tendency implies an inclination sometimes amounting to an impelling force.

a general tendency toward inflation

In what contexts can tenor take the place of current?

The words tenor and current can be used in similar contexts, but tenor stresses a clearly perceptible direction and a continuous, undeviating course.

the tenor of the times

When can trend be used instead of current?

The meanings of trend and current 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

Example 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 current
Adjective
This current battle will not be an easy one for Harvard, but Harvard is not alone—as pillars of civil society muster the courage to stand in unison so that Harvard does not have to fight for freedom of expression, intellectual inquiry, educational advancement, and research contributions alone. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 19 Apr. 2025 The report highlighted the current national public school meal debt, which stands at $176 million a year, equating to an average meal debt per child of $537. Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
The orchestra’s 2025-26 season, announced Wednesday, at least reflects the passing of the baton far better than the current. Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025 On Earth, convection currents churn through the mantle (the layer that lies beneath the crust), causing tectonic plates to move around the planet's surface and triggering geological activity like volcanism. Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for current
Recent Examples of Synonyms for current
Adjective
  • Until Black Panther’s record breaking $235 million opening, conventional industry wisdom held that films with predominantly Black casts typically underperform financially overseas.
    Chris Lee, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The conventional non-AI approach is the classic client-therapist relationship.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Season 5 to explore new relationship, show creator says While some may still be rooting for Emily to patch things up with Gabriel, the focus of this upcoming season will be Emily's relationship with Marcello, Star told Tudum.
    Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • First discovered: 4 hours ago, 12:37 p.m. April 18 Initial location: San Mateo County, Calif. Fire type: Wildfire Fire name: Hill Ic A new wildfire was reported today at 12:37 p.m. in San Mateo County.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Nirvana and Unplugged in New York Are Also Charting While Nevermind and In Utero are the only Nirvana releases that return in any fashion, two other efforts from the band are also present.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The defense team said the family understood, despite some traveling to be present.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Luckily for the Jayhawks, the offense is trending in the right direction.
    Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Double-check travel plans and directions.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The storms are anticipated to bring wind gusts of up to 60 mph and penny-sized hail (0.75 inches).
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The Getty fire in 2019, which led to evacuation orders, could have easily gotten out of hand had winds been any higher.
    Robert Petkoff Krish Seenivasan Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • While the set seems a bit on the chintzy side, scenic designer Beowulf Boritt does his usual stellar work, assisted immensely by Ken Billington’s full-of-pizzazz lighting design.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • And with a submission landscape thinner than usual, this might be creator Charlie Brooker’s best shot yet at one of the top prizes.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The curved, low-profile silhouette creates a modern spin on the otherwise classic design, while the chair’s high-density foam filling offers superior support.
    Megan Schaltegger, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Colin from Accounts is a romantic comedy about flawed, funny people choosing each other and embracing the all-too-relatable chaos of modern life.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The players’ union for the league on March 14 filed a grievance with the National Labor Relations Board, and ongoing negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement have failed to come to fruition.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Finding the right competitive data to deliver the highest performance gains is an ongoing process.
    Rob Sanchez, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Current.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/current. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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