Definition of LEANING

Choose the Right Synonym for 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. a student with artistic leanings propensity implies a deeply ingrained and usually irresistible inclination. a propensity to offer advice proclivity suggests a strong natural proneness usually to something objectionable or evil. a proclivity for violence penchant implies a strongly marked taste in the person or an irresistible attraction in the object. a penchant for taking risks

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 on the Web

Moyes thinks that's all the business required, but Cahill convinces him that, in light of his defensive leanings in the Angel Di Maria vs Hummels debate, a winger is still necessary. — SI.com, "Moyesian Utopia: Scripting an Alternate Reality Where Man Utd Didn't Sack David Moyes," 26 June 2019 In 1975, Biden supported a resolution by Harry Byrd — son of the longtime head of the Democratic machine in Jim Crow-era Virginia, and himself an independent senator because of his Dixiecrat leanings — to restore the citizenship of Robert E. Lee. — Dan Mclaughlin, National Review, "Joe Biden’s Segregationist Problem," 19 June 2019 After Jessica Jones’ brilliant first season — easily the best single season of any of Netflix’s Marvel shows — showrunner Melissa Rosenberg has struggled with ways of balancing its horror and superhero leanings. — Noah Berlatsky, The Verge, "Since season 1, Jessica Jones has struggled to mix horror with superheroes," 18 June 2019 Regardless of their religious leanings, historians focused less on what was in Washington’s address than on what wasn’t. — Sam Wineburg, Smithsonian, "What George Washington’s Views on Religion and America Don’t Translate Well to Today’s Politics," 12 June 2019 The first slide features a photo of Bush Hager holding her maternal grandmother's hand and a second shows her leaning in to kiss Welch on the cheek. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Jenna Bush Hager Posted a Heartfelt Message About Her 99-Year-Old Grandma on Instagram," 8 Nov. 2018 His confirmation was delayed until 2006 in a Senate dispute over his partisan leanings. — Erica Martinson, Anchorage Daily News, "Murkowski, Sullivan promise rigorous review of Kavanaugh nomination.," 10 July 2018 Rhodes was also a Deputy National Security Adviser, who saw his liberal interventionist leanings tested amid the crucible of the Arab Spring. — Benjamin Hart, Daily Intelligencer, "A Decade at Obama’s Side: An Interview With Ben Rhodes," 17 June 2018 Thomas had been arrested on September 12, 1861 because of his pro-Confederacy leanings and spent the next five months in a succession of Union prisons. — Mary Carole Mccauley, baltimoresun.com, "In its newly renovated property, Walters Art Museum honors a woman once enslaved there," 5 June 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.