tends

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.

Open windows on opposite sides of the house to encourage air flow, but only do this when the air temperature outside is cooler than inside, which tends to be overnight or in the early morning.

From BBC • Jul. 9, 2026

As outspoken and sometimes guileless as she is, Madonna tends to choose her words carefully when the cameras are rolling.

From Salon • Jul. 8, 2026

“Everything I’ve seen tends to show her innocence and her lack of involvement in any of the allegations,” Rodriguez said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 8, 2026

“Generally, controversy tends to stimulate fan curiosity, I would not be surprised if this leads to all-time viewing,” super-agent Leigh Steinberg, who represents NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes, among other star athletes, told MarketWatch.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 6, 2026

“Ordinarily we never ask why,” Mrs. Montague said, “because it tends to confuse planchette. However, this time we were bold, and came right out and asked. Arthur?”

From "The Haunting of Hill House" by Shirley Jackson