tendential

tendential

A journalist writes a tendential article about the new policy.

Definition
  1. Adjective:
    • Having or showing a tendency: "tendential" describes something that exhibits a particular inclination, direction, or bias toward a specific outcome or viewpoint.
    • Characterized by deliberate intention: It can also refer to statements or actions that are purposefully designed to promote a certain agenda or point of view, often with an implied sense of manipulation or partiality.
Usage Examples
  • (The language showed a clear bias.)
  • (Her interpretation was deliberately one-sided.)
  • (It was written with a specific agenda in mind.)
Advanced Usage

  • "tendential reading": an interpretation of a text or event that is shaped by a preconceived bias or purpose.

    • The scholar offered a tendential reading of the historical documents, highlighting only those passages that supported his theory. (A selective and biased interpretation.)

  • "tendential argument": an argument that is constructed to lead to a predetermined conclusion, often ignoring counterpoints.

    • His tendential argument failed to address the most obvious objections. (A one-sided reasoning.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Tendentious (adj): the more common form of "tendential," meaning expressing a strong opinion, especially a controversial one, in a way that is intended to influence others.

    • The politician made a tendentious speech that angered the opposition. (A deliberately biased speech.)

  • Tendency (n): an inclination toward a particular characteristic or action.

    • There is a growing tendency for people to work from home. (A general trend.)
Synonyms
  • Biased: showing unfair favouritism toward one side.
  • Partisan: strongly supporting a particular party, cause, or person.
  • Slanted: presented in a way that favours a particular viewpoint.
  • One-sided: considering only one aspect of a subject.
Related Idioms

  • "To have an axe to grind": to have a private, often selfish, reason for saying or doing something.

    • His criticism seemed tendential; clearly, he had an axe to grind with the company. (He had a personal bias.)

  • "To stack the deck": to arrange something in a way that gives an unfair advantage.

    • The tendential selection of evidence stacked the deck against the defendant. (The evidence was unfairly chosen.)