incline

verb in·cline \ in-ˈklīn \

|Updated on: 14 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: incline in a Sentence

Definition of incline

inclined; inclining

intransitive verb

1 : to bend the head or body forward : bow

2 : to lean, tend, or become drawn toward an opinion or course of conduct

3 : to deviate from a line, direction, or course; specifically : to deviate from the vertical or horizontal

transitive verb

1 : to cause to stoop or bow : bend

2 : to have influence on : persuade

his love of books inclined him toward a literary career

3 : to give a bend or slant to

—

incliner

noun

See incline defined for English-language learners

See incline defined for kids

Examples of incline in a Sentence

She listened with her eyes closed and her head inclined.
The road inclines at an angle of about 12 degrees.
His love of books inclined him toward a literary career.

Recent Examples of incline from the Web

Though Democratic complaining reigned going into Tuesday's primaries, few are able to complain now, and those who are might have trouble finding Democratic voters inclined to listen.

— dan merica, CNN, "Crisis averted: How the Democrats avoided disaster in California," 6 June 2018
Goman isn't inclined to buy things just because the price is low, and watching the longtime local institution fold is a bit disheartening.

— rick romell, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "As Boston Store liquidates, going-out-of-business posters replace window displays," 20 Apr. 2018
Aghdam's family immigrated to the United States in 1996, and her father told the Bay Area News Group that his daughter had shown no previous signs of being inclined to violence.

— elizabeth weise, USA TODAY, "Chilling police footage shows YouTube shooter in her car hours before shooting," 13 Apr. 2018
Here's how to do this one: At the end of the day, knee or incline push-ups are both better than trying to crank out full push-ups incorrectly.

— amy marturana, SELF, "Here's Exactly How to Do a Push-up Correctly," 21 Mar. 2018
Up close, hot gases containing magma fragments and ash escape through the volcanic vents with the booming sound of a jumbo jet's engine, or for those more lyrically inclined, dozens of waves simultaneously crashing on a seashore.

— author: simon romero, Anchorage Daily News, "Another Kilauea eruption shatters the quiet in a Hawaii 'ghost town'," 18 May 2018
Up close, hot gases containing magma fragments and ash escape through the volcanic vents with the booming sound of a jumbo jet’s engine, or for those more lyrically inclined, dozens of waves simultaneously crashing on a seashore.

— simon romero, New York Times, "Hawaii’s Volcanic Ghost Town: Doors Left Ajar in Homes Engulfed by Lava," 17 May 2018
Anecdotally, a lot of subscribers report seeing four or fewer movies a month already, and existing subscribers – which likely includes many of the film buffs inclined to see the most films – will keep their unlimited plans.

— david z. morris, Fortune, "MoviePass’s Unlimited-Movies Subscription is Gone — For Now," 28 Apr. 2018
Those cases provide a warning, and may scare teams inclined to build with a dropback passer.

— jarrett bell, USA TODAY, "Why Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson is the most intriguing player in the NFL Draft," 23 Apr. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of incline

Middle English, from Anglo-French incliner, encliner, from Latin inclinare, from in- + clinare to lean — more at lean

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

incline Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of incline

incline, bias, dispose, predispose mean to influence one to have or take an attitude toward something. incline implies a tendency to favor one of two or more actions or conclusions.

- I incline to agree

bias suggests a settled and predictable leaning in one direction and connotes unfair prejudice.

- the experience biased him against foreigners

dispose suggests an affecting of one's mood or temper so as to incline one toward something.

- her nature disposes her to trust others

predispose implies the operation of a disposing influence well in advance of the opportunity to manifest itself.

- does fictional violence predispose them to accept real violence?

incline

noun in·cline \ ˈin-ˌklīn \

Definition of incline

: an inclined plane : grade, slope

See incline defined for English-language learners

Examples of incline in a Sentence

We drove up a steep incline to the summit.
You can adjust the incline of the ramp.

Recent Examples of incline from the Web

But this year, for the first time, those haunting inclines will be ignored.

— New York Times, "To Reverse a Decline, New York Triathlon Skips an Incline," 28 May 2018
Some of the gardens have steps or walk-up inclines.

— janet eastman, OregonLive.com, "See four private estates during the Dunthorpe Garden Tour (photos)," 9 May 2018
But those hills are perfect for a gondola line, which could easily scale inclines that defeat buses and light-rail lines, supporters say.

— bill shaikin, latimes.com, "A gondola from Union Station to Dodger Stadium? It could happen by 2022, Mayor Garcetti says," 26 Apr. 2018
Like most bike paths built on rail beds, Le P’tit Train du Nord is relatively flat, with gentle inclines and declines.

— sue hertz, BostonGlobe.com, "Learning to roll with Canadian June," 25 Apr. 2018
Related The route was dark and unfamiliar to the participants, who also had to contend with an incline and general dust and debris from construction, Morelli said.

— NBC News, "David Copperfield to testify about magic trick that left participant with thousands in medical bills," 17 Apr. 2018
Here’s how to do the move: Grab a set of light dumbbells or kettlebells and lie with your stomach on a flat or incline bench, or sit on an incline bench like Upton.

— jenny mccoy, SELF, "Kate Upton Works Her Back and Shoulders With This Simple Upper-Body Move," 13 Apr. 2018
And every course incline is examined and discussed beforehand to prepare for the challenge.

— naureen s. malik, chicagotribune.com, "If the Boston Marathon is too easy, try these crazy runs," 13 Apr. 2018
Lower the resistance and incline for 60 seconds of rest between cycles for a total of 25-30 minutes.

— Philly.com, "The best aerobic machines for burning fat (Hint: it's not the treadmill)," 20 Feb. 2018

First Known Use of incline

1798

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

incline Synonyms

Synonyms

cant, diagonal, grade, gradient, inclination, lean, pitch, rake, slant, slope, upgrade;

Near Antonyms

declension, declination, decline, declivity, descent, dip, downgrade, fall, hang, hanging, receding;

Related Words

ascent, bank, climb, rise;

INCLINE Defined for English Language Learners

incline

verb

Definition of incline for English Language Learners

: to bend forward or to cause (something) to bend forward
: to lean or slope
: to cause (someone) to want to do something or to be likely to do something

incline

noun

Definition of incline for English Language Learners

: a slanting surface

INCLINE Defined for Kids

incline

verb in·cline \ in-ˈklīn \

Definition of incline for Students

inclined; inclining

1 : to cause to bend or lean

She inclined her head.

2 : ²slope, lean

incline

noun in·cline \ ˈin-ˌklīn \

Definition of incline for Students

: ¹slope 2

a steep incline

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See words that rhyme with incline Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for incline Spanish Central: Translation of incline Nglish: Translation of incline for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of incline for Arabic speakers

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incline

Definition of incline

incliner

Examples of incline in a Sentence

Recent Examples of incline from the Web

Origin and Etymology of incline

incline Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Synonym Discussion of incline

incline

Definition of incline

Examples of incline in a Sentence

Recent Examples of incline from the Web

First Known Use of incline

incline Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases Related to INCLINE

Related Phrases

INCLINE Defined for English Language Learners

incline

Definition of incline for English Language Learners

incline

Definition of incline for English Language Learners

INCLINE Defined for Kids

incline

Definition of incline for Students

incline

Definition of incline for Students

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