as in oblique
running in a slanting direction
the leaning tower of Pisa is a popular tourist attraction in Italy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in direction
a prevailing or general movement or inclination
the news media are often accused of having liberal leanings
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in tendency
a habitual attraction to some activity or thing
despite what his athletic leanings might suggest, he was actually a very lazy kid
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in tilting
to set or cause to be at an angle
just lean the ladder against the tree and climb up it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tending
to show a liking or proneness (for something)
the family's diet leans toward greasy food
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in relying
to place reliance or trust
you can always lean on me if you need help
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of leaning
Paxton Honerkamp,
CNBC,
21 June 2026
At a press conference, Talarico said no matter a person’s political leaning, anyone can agree that child molesters must be brought to justice.
—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 June 2026
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
27 June 2026
As World Cup knockout round games near, many American fans are leaning into the idea of a winning team after years of heartache.
—
Rick Maese,
Washington Post,
27 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for leaning
Noun
In recent years, even states that have skewed more conservative in their political leanings, such as Missouri, Nebraska, and Florida, have voted overwhelmingly to increase their minimum wage to $15 an hour.
—
Paxton Honerkamp,
CNBC,
21 June 2026
At a press conference, Talarico said no matter a person’s political leaning, anyone can agree that child molesters must be brought to justice.
—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 June 2026
Verb
On Thursday afternoon, the store’s location in Overland Park was full of people sorting through produce, browsing Mediterranean spices, leaning over display cases filled with fresh pastries, and picking out halal candies.
—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
27 June 2026
As World Cup knockout round games near, many American fans are leaning into the idea of a winning team after years of heartache.
—
Rick Maese,
Washington Post,
27 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for leaning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaning
Adjective
-
Mayfield, who turned 31 in April, appeared on the Bucs’ injury report 10 out of 18 weeks with issues that spanned his foot, toe, knee, right biceps, oblique and right shoulder.
-
Altuve did not go on a minor-league rehab assignment before returning from his oblique injury.
Noun
-
Mercury stations retrograde in Cancer in your 3rd House of Communication, making texts, directions, calls, errands, and local plans easier to misread.
-
The election results have reignited an ideological battle over the party’s direction.
Noun
-
The only real scoring chances arrived in the dying moments of a game that carried macabre tendencies, long after the match had devolved into a turf war.
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But the market’s tendency to parse imprecise (or overly precise) verbiage for hidden signals may not be easily extinguished.
Verb
-
Each bag is equipped with features that make traveling easier, like comfort grip handles at the top and side, a self-locking retractable handle, back zippered pockets, and stability bars at the bottom to keep the bag from tilting while standing upright.
-
Rather than tilting the motors – as the Osprey or Valo do – its solution is to tilt the entire wings.
Verb
-
Farmers are tending healthy crops, and water managers are beginning to breathe a sigh of relief after the critical drought earlier this year.
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She is seen bathing and tending to her daughter, Nala, similar to the way Cancer protects and cares for the people closest to them.
Verb
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The criminal case alleges Devastating Pyrotechnics founder Chee and his associates continued operating despite being ineligible for a federal explosives permit, relying on associates to obtain licenses while importing and repackaging fireworks from overseas.
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Wallach added that the most likely legal fallout would come from private civil lawsuits, brought by bettors who lost money after relying on Polymarket’s misleading marketing.
Adjective
-
Watch for soft spots on floors, uneven or sloping flooring, cracks in walls and warped materials.
-
As part of his new collection for the brand, Arnold unveiled a new shape—a slightly sloping, almost smile-like pleat that’s simultaneously nonchalant and fully sophisticated.
Noun
-
Thinning Russian air defense stockpiles and Ukraine's ever-increasing drone production have helped Kyiv seize new momentum this year, with analysts and some regional leaders seeing the tide slowly turn away from Russia's favor.
-
Trump said the Democratic Party’s leadership was afraid of speaking out against the rising tide of socialism because of looming primary challenges.
Cite this Entry
“Leaning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaning. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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