TENDS Synonyms: 101 Similar and Opposite Words

tends 1 of 2

verb (1)

present tense third-person singular of tend

as in leans

to show a liking or proneness (for something) her wardrobe tends toward dark colors and heavy fabrics

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tends

2 of 2

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of tend

as in supervises

to take charge of especially on behalf of another tend the store while I run an errand

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as in grows

to look after or assist the growth of by labor and care lately I haven't been doing a good job of tending my garden

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as in cultivates

to work by plowing, sowing, and raising crops on plots that during the war were tended by city dwellers as vegetable gardens

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as in manages

to look after and make decisions about the dying patriarch wondered who would tend the family business after he was gone

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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 tends

Verb

There’s a frightening imbalance in how the mainstream media report on these candidates, which tends to take it pretty easy on the latter. — Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026 Because no single firm bears the cost to society of energy price shocks, the private sector tends to underinvest in these safeguards, making their formation dependent on government action. — Jason Bordoff, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026 About 25% of the total weight loss tends to come from a decline in musculoskeletal mass. — Jessica Starr, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026 Animal damage tends to be most devastating during the first half of the season, when plants are still becoming established. — The Spruce, 13 Aug. 2026 The safety of the interactions tends to degrade over the course of long conversations. — Megan Kelly, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026 Once that inner conversation softens, connection to others tends to follow. — Jan Gerber, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Fall fashion tends to kickstart our lust for the new season as brands start to launch enticing pre-fall collections. — ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026 This one tends to bring the most pushback, which is why starting early helps. — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tends

Verb

Built by renowned architect Roger Scott on a deep lot, the property leans more toward forest cabin than tract house.

— David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Jurisdiction had also been an issue, but the case eventually landed in Clark County, which is home to Las Vegas and leans Democratic.

— Jessica Hill, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of leans

Verb

The State Board of Education supervises public K–12 education across the state, overseeing educational interests in Kansas.

— Zuri Primos July 26, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
David Smith, who supervises the district’s aedes crew, said his team has received an increasing number of service requests for day-biting mosquitoes within the neighborhood.

— Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of supervises

Verb

This program cultivates leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, offering valuable work experience and income.

— Read Alliance, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
In essence, Common Ground Society cultivates community, which can be a huge comfort to parents who feel ostracized and alienated from society because of burnout.

— Matt Villano, Parents, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of cultivates

Verb

Silver Media Group, founded by Golden Horse Award-winning producer Chan Gin Kai, manages a portfolio of more than 1,500 intellectual property assets spanning film, animation, games and graphic novels.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Aug. 2026
If the transmission line wins approval, the cost of the project will be spread among all ratepayers served by the California Independent System Operator, which manages about 80% of the state’s electrical grid.

— Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of manages

Verb

When a fan sees an idol’s skin, watches a routine, studies a product list, compares ingredients and sees creators repeat the same steps, the product is no longer an isolated SKU.

— Darko Pavic, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Sentry, the company’s first hardware product, is a surveillance tower that watches borders and other secure areas.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of watches

Verb

However, unlike poison ivy, Virginia creeper plants typically produce five leaflets, while poison ivy only ever produces three.

— Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2026
The company, now called Vantor, produces imagery that can document troop movements on the battlefield, show stockpiles of weapons, and provide a window into damage after an attack.

— Isabelle Chapman, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of produces

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“Tends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tends. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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