Propensity and Tendency

Propensity

Propensity noun - An established pattern of behavior.
Usage example: the criminal propensities of the family extended over several generations

Tendency is a synonym for propensity in inclination topic. In some cases you can use "Tendency" instead the word "Propensity" as a noun or a verb, when it comes to topics like affection, ability, approach, predilection. popular alternative

Tendency

Tendency noun - An established pattern of behavior.
Usage example: a tendency to make snap judgments

Propensity is a synonym for tendency in affection topic. You can use "Propensity" instead the word "Tendency" as a noun or a verb, if it concerns topics such as ability, inclination, approach, predilection. popular alternative

How words are described

human human propensity human tendency
good good propensity good tendency
high high propensity high tendency
physical physical propensity physical tendency
Other adjectives: low, similar, natural, complete, disturbing, notorious, large, extreme, unfortunate, little, dark, noticeable, remarkable, general, apparent, greater, marked, curious, higher.

Both words in one sentence

  • Richard Mayhew from Neverwhere has this going on, with his initial propensity to get pushed around, his collection of trolls (that got started by accident), and his tendency to look like he's only just woken up.
  • Video Game / Rune Factory Oceans Verbal Tic: Bonaparte has a peculiar propensity for ending certain words with random suffixes, while Lily has a tendency of saying "Oh my," somewhat indiscriminately, during conversations.
Cite this Source
Tendency and Propensity. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/propensity/tendency
Propensity & Tendency. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/propensity/tendency>.
Tendency or Propensity. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/propensity/tendency.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "propensity" and "tendency" have occurred on timeline