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Definitions

tend

[tend] / tɛnd /
VERB
be apt, likely
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bear contribute favor go gravitate influence lean turn
STRONG
aim bend conduce dispose drift head impel incline lead look move point redound trend
WEAK
be biased be conducive be disposed be in the habit of be inclined be liable be predisposed be prejudiced have a tendency have an inclination make for move toward result in serve to verge on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
dislike hurt shun take
STRONG
dissuade follow obey
WEAK
abandon ignore neglect
VERB
care for
Synonyms
STRONGEST
cultivate do feed keep look after maintain manage protect take care of watch
STRONG
accomplish administer attend baby-sit cherish control corral defend direct foster guard handle mind nurse nurture oversee perform safeguard serve shepherd shield sit superintend supervise
WEAK
cater to do for keep an eye on keep tabs on minister to ride herd on see after see to take under wing wait on watch out for watch over
Antonyms
STRONGEST
destroy fail harm hurt ignore neglect
STRONG
abandon deny disregard endanger forget forsake give up mismanage refuse relinquish renounce resign

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Reverse-mortgage rates tend to be higher than those for home-equity loans or lines of credit, according to AARP.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 23, 2026

But the irony is the people most game to travel—junior workers—are the ones who tend to get left out when companies tighten their travel budgets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

The model is particularly adept at "agentic" coding and computer use in which digital assistants independently tend to tasks as directed, according to the San Francisco-based startup behind ChatGPT.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

Most of these rare VHS titles tend to be schlocky, low-budget efforts, the kind of movies that are so bad they become entertaining in their absurdity.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

A young man approached him, seemingly a shepherd lad, but fine and well-mannered like the sons of kings when they tend sheep.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

Vocabulary lists containing tend

The SAT: Language of the Test, List 5

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

The New SAT: The Language of the Test

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

The ACT: The Language of the Test, List 4

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!