leaning

noun

lean·​ing ˈlē-niŋ 

: a definite but not decisive attraction or tendency

—often used in plural

radical leanings

Synonyms of leaning

• direction
• tendency
• tide
• trend

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

The staff’s leanings tended to reflect their communities. —Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 29 Nov. 2025

Party affiliation Miami Beach commission seats are nonpartisan, but political leanings have played a role on the campaign trail. —Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 25 Nov. 2025

The public rows between David Gilmour and Roger Waters have escalated to a very personal level, particularly in regards to their political leanings about Ukraine and the Israel-Palestine conflict. —Devon Ivie, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025

People have many views on what exactly the show represents and on the creative team’s political leanings, and these views are often at odds. —David Zucker, Deadline, 10 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for leaning

• cleaning
• gleaning
• greening
• keening
• meaning
• peening
• preening
• screening
• weaning
• careening
• convening
• demeaning

Kids Definition

leaning

noun

lean·​ing

ˈlē-niŋ

: tendency sense 2, inclination