propensity

noun

pro·​pen·​si·​ty prə-ˈpen(t)-sə-tē 

plural propensities

: an often intense natural inclination or preference

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You'll Like the Etymology of Propensity

If you’re partial to picking synonyms of propensity, perhaps peruse the letter "p," which predominates for such words, in our pages. Proclivity, preference, penchant, and predilection all share with propensity the principal meaning of "a strong instinct or liking." Propensity comes from Latin prōpensus, a form of prōpendēre, a verb meaning "to incline" or "to hang down" (as pendulous things do). With that in mind, it’s perfectly plausible that leaning and inclination are as good synonyms of propensity as any of those "p"-words.

Synonyms

• aptness
• proneness
• tendency
• way

Choose the Right Synonym for propensity

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 propensity in a Sentence

Other researches are exploring how the adolescent propensity for uninhibited risk taking propels teens to experiment with drugs and alcohol. —Claudia Wallis, Time, 10 May 2004

On the other hand, a jury might be convinced that a meth dealer who had brazenly fired a pistol through his door had a propensity for violence. —John Cloud, Time, 14 July 2003

A central tenet of this camp's proponents is that a considerable number of biological dispositions evolved during the Stone Age, including a male propensity for making war. —Bruce Bower, Science News, 27 Jan. 2001

He had a propensity for crime.

the criminal propensities of the family extended over several generations

Recent Examples on the Web

The marginal propensity to reuse, enabled by secure hyperscaler platforms and guided by FinOps practices, offers a blueprint for scaling AI economically across agencies. —Sandeep Shilawat, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025

The shooting was examined in a two-year investigation by this news organization on the propensity of police to use serious and deadly force on mentally ill and intoxicated people; Nguyen had a history of mental illness and was experiencing a psychiatric crisis when he was killed. —Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 21 June 2025

His father Murry, a would-be songwriter with a propensity for abuse, saw his sons' talents as a ticket to greater financial success. —Ann Powers, NPR, 11 June 2025

Nearly one-third of the way through the season, the Cubs’ propensity for big innings, especially late in games, is a continuing theme. —Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin prōpensitāt-, prōpensitās, from Latin prōpensus "weighted down, inclined, having a disposition or tendency" + -itāt-, -itās -ity — more at propense

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for propensity

• immensity
• intensity
• density

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Kids Definition

propensity

noun

pro·​pen·​si·​ty prə-ˈpen(t)-sət-ē 

plural propensities

: a natural inclination or liking : bent

a propensity for bright colors

a propensity to daydream