propensity
noun
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You'll Like the Etymology of Propensity
If you’re partial to picking synonyms of propensity, perhaps peruse the letter "p," which predominates for such words, in our pages. Proclivity, preference, penchant, and predilection all share with propensity the principal meaning of "a strong instinct or liking." Propensity comes from Latin prōpensus, a form of prōpendēre, a verb meaning "to incline" or "to hang down" (as pendulous things do). With that in mind, it’s perfectly plausible that leaning and inclination are as good synonyms of propensity as any of those "p"-words.
Examples of propensity in a Sentence
Claudia Wallis, Time, 10 May 2004
On the other hand, a jury might be convinced that a meth dealer who had brazenly fired a pistol through his door had a propensity for violence.
—John Cloud, Time, 14 July 2003
A central tenet of this camp's proponents is that a considerable number of biological dispositions evolved during the Stone Age, including a male propensity for making war.
—Bruce Bower, Science News, 27 Jan. 2001
He had a propensity for crime.
the criminal propensities of the family extended over several generations
Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 12 Jan. 2026
Baltimore’s propensity to blow big leads was a major source of frustration within the organization, team sources said.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
With his propensity to touch upon issues and areas that transcend city governance, an initiative of this kind by Mamdani could easily be viewed as part of a broader remit.
—Vijay Dandapani, New York Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026
Trump didn’t try to get congressional authorization for war or even notify Congress of today’s operation in advance, citing the Hill’s propensity to leak.
—Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for propensity
Cite this Entry
“Propensity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/propensity. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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propensity
noun
