leaning

noun

lean·ing | \ ˈlē-niŋ

Definition of leaning

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

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about leaning

Keep scrolling for more

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

See the full ranking below, then head over to princetonreview.com for additional rankings on all aspects of college life from the political leanings of a student body to which school has the best health services in the country. 1. — Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, "Rice University Students Named the Happiest in the Country," 6 Sep. 2016 Bessette said his group teaches about authoritarian regimes that started out by downplaying or denying socialist or Communist leanings. — Elizabeth Llorente, Fox News, "Socialists working from within to push Democratic Party further left," 19 July 2018 The court has issued a string of rulings in recent years favorable to business interests and Kavanaugh could help cement the strongest pro-business leanings on the court in decades. — Tory Newmyer, Washington Post, "The Finance 202: Stock market shrugs off Trump's trade war," 10 July 2018 No matter what your political leanings, or how blue or red your state is, nearly every person can make a difference in an election. — Rebecca Gale, Marie Claire, "How to Impact the Midterms, Even If You Don’t Live in a Swing State," 22 Oct. 2018 Some American reporters whose leanings were anti-fascist were only too eager to help. — Ronald Radosh, WSJ, "‘Bureau of Spies’ Review: Washington Confidential," 21 Sep. 2018 Kennedy’s own leanings on privacy are hard to put in a box. — Derek Hawkins, Washington Post, "The Cybersecurity 202: How Trump's Supreme Court pick could influence digital privacy," 5 July 2018 But the political leanings of the other 14 are unclear. — Eileen Sullivan, BostonGlobe.com, "Trump criticizes investigators, citing ‘unrevealed conflicts of interest’," 7 May 2018 Republicans have been in a tailspin for years in California, where a diversifying population has grown increasingly Democratic in its leanings. — Washington Post, "California Republicans see ray of hope in Democratic bastion," 6 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.