current 1 of 2

adjective

ˈkər-ənt How to pronounce current (audio)
Definition of currentnext
1
as in conventional
accepted, used, or practiced by most people current wisdom on parenting favors allowing children lots of self-expression

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in new
being or involving the latest methods, concepts, information, or styles current therapies for treating cancer have success rates that were undreamed of only a few decades ago

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in present
existing or in progress right now the current fund-raising effort

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

current

2 of 2

noun

1
as in direction
a prevailing or general movement or inclination the currents of fashion are always changing

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in wind
noticeable movement of air in a particular direction curtains that were being lightly lifted by a fresh current from the open window

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word current different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of current are drift, tendency, tenor, and trend. While all these words mean "movement in a particular direction," current implies a clearly defined but not necessarily unalterable course.

an encounter that changed the current of my life

When would drift be a good substitute for current?

While in some cases nearly identical to current, drift may apply to a tendency determined by external forces, or it may apply to an underlying or obscure trend of meaning or discourse.

the drift of the population away from large cities
got the drift of her argument

When might tendency be a better fit than current?

While the synonyms tendency and current are close in meaning, tendency implies an inclination sometimes amounting to an impelling force.

a general tendency toward inflation

In what contexts can tenor take the place of current?

The words tenor and current can be used in similar contexts, but tenor stresses a clearly perceptible direction and a continuous, undeviating course.

the tenor of the times

When can trend be used instead of current?

The meanings of trend and current largely overlap; however, trend applies to the general direction maintained by a winding or irregular course.

the long-term trend of the stock market is upward

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of current
Adjective
DeMaio did not provide a response to a request for comment about his current position on the proposal. — Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026 That may be a tall order, given the enmities in the region and the current lack of trust between the three governments. — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
Noun
McCallum hit the water and pushed himself toward his niece, using every ounce of his energy to get to her, before the current pulled him under and swept him away. — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026 That same current permeates the stadium, where there’s something unleashed in the student section once they’re primed by hours of tailgating. — Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for current
Recent Examples of Synonyms for current
  1. conventional
  2. new
  3. present
  4. direction
  5. wind
  6. usual
  7. modern
  8. ongoing
Adjective
  • The platform links brand clients with filmmakers around the world to turn advertising messages into standalone films with real narrative ambition, rather than conventional commercials.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The technology can support both conventional and remote sites, like areas where traditional energy infrastructure may be difficult or expensive to build.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of conventional
Adjective
  • Now is a great time to pick up a new pair of sneakers for fall while prices are low.
    — Anna Traver, InStyle, 1 Sep. 2026
  • With the team entering a new era with a new coaching staff, Baltimore made some moves that were a bit atypical on roster cutdown day.
    — Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of new
Adjective
  • Kayley and Nathan’s efforts are intercut with Kasandra opening her birthday present from Jeff (whose airways are now totally clear), a $100,000 diamond necklace.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Commissioners Steve Harrelson and Raymond Jarvis were present while Michael White, the chairman, was absent.
    — Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of present
Noun
  • The technology was also tested against deceptive behaviour, an in a different scenario, fishing boats appeared to retreat while vessels from another direction accelerated toward the coastguard ship.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Despite years passing and their lives moving in different directions, the four come together and remember how beautiful and essential their friendship was and is.
    — Kara Nesvig, Parents, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of direction
Noun
  • Crews may benefit from slightly cooler temperatures in the days ahead, Gass said, and wind conditions are expected to remain fairly calm in both areas.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Stronger downdraft winds and loose, dry soil can impact how much dust is lifted into the air.
    — Brandi D. Addison, AZCentral.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of wind
Adjective
  • Immediately, Zack-Carlos goes back to reasserting his presence in the house, eager to stay as long as possible and be his usual insufferable self.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • For cats that need a larger calorie reduction, Yeo said a veterinary weight-management diet may be safer than simply serving much less of their usual food because it is formulated to provide adequate nutrients with fewer calories.
    — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of usual
Adjective
  • Users reported problems with Outlook, while OpenAI said users may experience problems starting or continuing tasks in ChatGPT Work, temporarily disabling two of the modern office's favorite methods of assigning more work.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Drew This gender-neutral name is inspired by former Saints quarterback Drew Brees, considered one of the best signal-callers of the modern era.
    — Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of modern
Adjective
  • Amaya said there is little doubt that the ongoing El Niño is headed for an extraordinary peak intensity, given how much heat lurks just beneath the surface of the tropical Pacific, destined to rise up over time.
    — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Regular driving brings ongoing costs including servicing, oil changes, tires and parking, while crowded campuses and urban areas can make finding a parking space a headache in itself.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of ongoing

Browse Nearby Words

currency
current
currently
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Current.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/current. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on current

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about current

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All