leaning

noun lean·ing \ ˈlē-niŋ \

|Updated on: 13 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: leaning in a Sentence

Definition of leaning

: a definite but not decisive attraction or tendency —often used in plural

radical leanings

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Examples of leaning in a Sentence

the news media are often accused of having liberal leanings
despite what his athletic leanings might suggest, he was actually a very lazy kid

Recent Examples of leaning from the Web

But some device partners could get Facebook users’ relationship status, religion, political leaning and upcoming events, among other data, The Times says.

— mike snider, USA TODAY, "Facebook denies abuse of user privacy after report it shared info without consent," 4 June 2018
Some device partners can retrieve Facebook users' relationship status, religion, political leaning and upcoming events, among other data.

— Anchorage Daily News, "Facebook gave device makers deep access to data on users and friends," 4 June 2018
Some device partners can retrieve Facebook users’ relationship status, religion, political leaning, and upcoming events, among other data.

— BostonGlobe.com, "Facebook’s special deals with device makers scrutinized," 4 June 2018
Some device partners can retrieve Facebook users’ relationship status, religion, political leaning and upcoming events, among other data.

— michael laforgia, The Seattle Times, "Facebook let phone makers get data trove on users and friends," 3 June 2018
Purists may be less enchanted, bemused by Miller’s sentimental leanings and her determination to make Circe into an ultimately likable, or at least forgivable, character.

— claire messud, New York Times, "Turning Circe Into a Good Witch," 28 May 2018
Known for its anti-capitalist leanings and focus on low-skilled laborers, the Industrial Workers of the World has previously tried to organize workers at Starbucks and Jimmy John's locations throughout the country, with limited success.

— shane dixon kavanaugh, OregonLive.com, "Burgerville Workers Union notches 2nd victory with Gladstone vote," 14 May 2018
So the researchers sought to control for other factors like gender, race, age, education, political leaning and even personal feelings about Clinton and Trump using multiple regression analysis.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "Fake news might have won Donald Trump the 2016 election, new study suggests," 3 Apr. 2018
The mixtape, which Ocean released early into his deal with Def Jam Records partly to force the label’s hand, offers a glimpse into his aesthetic leanings and his poetic tendencies.

— hannah giorgis, The Atlantic, "Is It Futile to 'Dissect' Frank Ocean's Work?," 17 May 2018

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

First Known Use of leaning

15th century

in the meaning defined above

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leaning Synonyms

Synonyms

affection, affinity, aptitude, bent, bias, bone, devices, disposition, genius, habitude, impulse, inclination, partiality, penchant, predilection, predisposition, proclivity, propensity, tendency, turn;

Near Antonyms

allergy, averseness, aversion, disfavor, disinclination, dislike, disliking, disrelish, distaste;

detachment, impartiality, neutrality, objectivity;

apathy, disinterestedness, indifference, insouciance, nonchalance, unconcern;

endowment, faculty, flair, genius, gift, knack, talent;

addiction, appetite, fancy, fondness, like, liking, preference, taste;

forte, speciality, specialty;

convention, custom, habit, pattern, practice (also practise), routine, trick, way, wont;

eccentricity, idiosyncrasy, kink, oddity, peculiarity, quirk, singularity;

Synonym Discussion of leaning

leaning, propensity, proclivity, penchant mean a strong instinct or liking for something. leaning suggests a liking or attraction not strong enough to be decisive or uncontrollable.