- 1if someone or something has a particular tendency, they are likely to behave or act in a particular way to display artistic, etc. tendencies tendency (for somebody/something) (to do something) I have a tendency to talk too much when I'm nervous. There is a tendency for this disease to run in families. This material has a tendency to shrink when washed. tendency (to/toward something) She has a strong natural tendency toward caution.
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- 2tendency (for somebody/something) (to do something) tendency (to/toward something) a new custom that is starting to develop synonym trend There is a growing tendency among employers to hire casual staff.
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