tendency
/ˈtɛnd(ə)nsi
/noun (plural tendencies) [often with infinitive]
1An inclination towards a particular characteristic or type of behaviour: for students, there is a tendency to socialize in the evenings criminal tendencies...
- The human race has a pervasive tendency towards religious conviction.
- I have a tendency to scratch vigorously behind my right knee when distracted.
- He has a tendency to be ruthless when he has tired of a girlfriend.
Synonyms
propensity, proclivity, proneness, aptness, likelihood, inclination, disposition, predisposition, bent, leaning, penchant, predilection, susceptibility, liability;
readiness;
habit
trend, movement, drift, swing, gravitation;
orientation, bias;
direction, course, tide, turn
1.1A group within a larger political party or movement.Other tendencies or parties will prevail and hold the movement back....
- Two political tendencies emerged during this period of rampant anti-Semitism.
- These political tendencies are expected to register gains in the coming election.
Origin
Early 17th century: from medieval Latin tendentia, from tendere 'to stretch' (see tend1).