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 Bernal has issued several unsuccessful requests for Linares to be recused for the case, arguing the judge, known for liberal leanings, is biased. — Ciara Nugent, Time, "An Anti-Abortion Activist Tried to Make Colombia's Abortion Law More Restrictive. Here's Why That Could Backfire," 19 Feb. 2020 Nearly 300 pounds of dynamite wasn't enough to completely topple the structure, and a leaning elevator shaft remained standing after the rest of the building collapsed around it. — NBC News, "Bloomberg to join debate, Boy Scouts file for bankruptcy protection: The Morning Rundown," 18 Feb. 2020 During the campaign, Beshear tapped into teacher activism to overcome the state’s Republican leanings and win the governorship. — Washington Post, "Kentucky’s new governor reorganizes school board on day one," 10 Dec. 2019 At the same time, a new national Quinnipiac poll among Democrats and Democratic leaning voters shows similar results with Biden leading at 29%, Sanders with 17%, Warren with 15% and Buttigieg at 9%. — Caitlin Conant, CBS News, "2020 Daily Trail Markers: Trump's impeachment trial likely to bench Senators running for president," 10 Dec. 2019 Foreign-language skills obviously do not reveal a person’s political leanings. — Ephrat Livni, Quartz, "Boris Johnson is more of a Europhile than he lets on," 17 Aug. 2019 Circle back to the center through narrow lanes and past ancient granaries, ramparts and historic fortifications (one now famous as a leaning tower). — Hugh Biggar, Washington Post, "Krakow has history, culture and shops. Up the river, so does Torun — minus the crowds.," 26 Feb. 2020 Several decades later, a president of a wholly different ideological leaning, George W Bush, adopted a markedly similar stance when hosting prime minister Manmohan Singh for a state visit in Washington. — Sumit Ganguly, Quartz India, "All trade and no democracy is the new hallmark of India-US ties," 25 Feb. 2020 The Texas city just got its own leaning tower, after the demolition of an 11-story building didn’t go quite according to plan. — NBC News, "Bloomberg to join debate, Boy Scouts file for bankruptcy protection: The Morning Rundown," 18 Feb. 2020

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.