ten‧den‧cy S3 W3 / tendənsi / 名词 ( 复数形式 tendencies ) [可数名词]

1 if someone or something has a tendency to do or become a particular thing, they are likely to do or become it

a tendency to do something

Greg’s tendency to be critical made him unpopular with his co-workers.

The drug is effective but has a tendency to cause headaches.

tendency to/towards

Some people may inherit a tendency to alcoholism.

tendency for

Researchers believe that the tendency for diabetes is present at birth.

2 a general change or development in a particular direction

there is a tendency (for somebody) to do something

There is an increasing tendency for women to have children later in life.

tendency to/towards

a general tendency towards conservation and recycling

tendency among

a tendency among Americans to get married at a later age

3 aggressive/suicidal/criminal/artistic etc tendencies a part of someone’s character that makes them likely to behave in a certain way or become an artist, criminal etc :

children with aggressive or anti-social tendencies

4 [ also + 复数形式 动词 British English ] a group within a larger political group that supports ideas that are usually more extreme than those of the main group :

the growing fascist tendency

COLLOCATIONS

形容词

a natural tendency (= one you are born with ) His recent experiences had reinforced a strong natural tendency towards caution.

an inherent/innate tendency (= one that you are born with, which will not change ) When attacked, some people have an inherent tendency to fight back.

a strong tendency There is a strong tendency to give dying patients far more drugs than are necessary.

a marked tendency (= noticeable ) There is a marked tendency for Hollywood marriages to end in divorce.

aggressive/violent tendencies Some breeds of dog have aggressive tendencies.

suicidal tendencies They failed to inform the prison authorities of the man’s suicidal tendencies.

criminal tendencies How should we deal with young people who have criminal tendencies?

artistic tendencies As he grew up, he displayed artistic tendencies.