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 of propensity

• tendency
• proneness

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

Due to their propensity to drive up prices at retail, tariffs have become a supremely unpopular concept with consumers who will be voting in November. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026

Swift’s propensity for clearing her musical vaults answers to a more-is-better audience ethos. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026

On an intelligence grid, a propensity score accessible everywhere at once allows each team to put it to work differently. — Thomas Zawacki, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026

That has included programs aimed at registering and mobilizing lower-propensity voters, voters of color, and rural and younger voters. — Matt Brown, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026

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