inclines; inclined; inclining
1
: to bend forward or to cause (something) to bend forward
Her head inclined forward.
He inclined [=(more commonly) nodded] his head slightly.
She listened with her eyes closed and her head inclined.
2
: to lean or slope
The road inclines at an angle of about 12 degrees.
3
formal
: to cause (someone) to want to do something or to be likely to do something
His love of books inclined him toward a literary career.
4
formal
: to think or to cause (someone) to think that something is probably true or correct
—followed by to + verb
I incline to agree with you. [=(more commonly) I am inclined to agree with you]
The evidence inclines me to think that she isn't guilty. [=makes me think that she probably isn't guilty]
plural inclines
: a slanting surface : slope
We drove up a steep incline to the summit.
You can adjust the incline of the ramp.
a slight incline
Cite this Entry
“Incline.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/incline. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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