inclination

noun

in·cli·na·tion | \ ˌin-klə-ˈnā-shən

, ˌiŋ-\

Definition of inclination

1a obsolete : natural disposition : character

b : a particular disposition of mind or character : propensity especially : liking had little inclination for housekeeping

2 : an act or the action of bending or inclining: such as

a : bow, nod

b : a tilting of something

3a : a deviation from the true vertical or horizontal : slant also : the degree of such deviation

b : an inclined surface : slope

c(1) : the angle determined by two lines or planes

(2) : the angle made by a line with the x-axis measured counterclockwise from the positive direction of that axis

4 : a tendency to a particular aspect, state, character, or action the clutch has an inclination to slip

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Examples of inclination in a Sentence

She shows no inclination to give in to their demands. He's a loner by inclination. My first inclination was to say no, but I finally decided to do what she asked. I have neither the time nor the inclination to learn about such matters.

Recent Examples on the Web

All in all the official seems to have relatively standard conservative or center-right views, as well as a temperamental inclination toward civility rather than confrontational, triggering-the-libs politics. — Andrew Prokop, Vox, "Who is the senior Trump official who wrote the New York Times op-ed?," 6 Sep. 2018 Pressley's win is another inclination that the upcoming midterm cycle will continue to favor progressive female candidates set on challenging the current political landscape (and running kick-ass campaigns). — Julyssa Lopez, Glamour, "Ayanna Pressley Reacting to Her Historic Massachusetts Primary Win Will Make Your Day," 5 Sep. 2018 Yet the sensation of being casually stared at, sized-up, and generally found wanting by every passerby with the inclination to do so left me feeling slightly like a panda in a zoo with no bamboo shoots to hide behind. — Steve King, Condé Nast Traveler, "Why We Keep Going Back to Amsterdam," 24 Dec. 2018 With January just around the corner, the collective inclination is to look back. — Vogue, "On the Vogue Podcast, Editors Look Back at 2018’s Biggest Fashion Moments," 20 Dec. 2018 Then the film shifts to teenager Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore), whose artistic inclinations don’t necessarily please his police officer father (Brian Tyree Henry). — Bryan Bishop, The Verge, "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is dazzling, hilarious, and unique," 14 Dec. 2018 And President Trump so far has shown no inclination to fire a cabinet official who is leading efforts to deregulate the economy and eliminate Obama-era environmental rules. — Ledyard King, USA TODAY, "Democrats ask Justice, FBI for criminal corruption probe into EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt," 8 June 2018 Bay Area Democrats showed no inclination to go along. — Carolyn Lochhead, San Francisco Chronicle, "No Dreamer protections, no support among state Democrats for spending bill," 17 Jan. 2018 In fact, a brief survey of Sephardi synagogues reveals competing impulses: devotion to tradition vying with assimilationist inclinations. — Leslie Camhi, ELLE Decor, "Inside the World's Most Beautiful Synagogues," 5 Nov. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inclination.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.