Definition of inclinationnext
1
2
as in tilt
the act of positioning or an instance of being positioned at an angle the photographer adjusted the inclination of the sitter's head

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in slope
the degree to which something rises up from a position level with the horizon the inclination of the hill is gentle, so walking up it isn't too bad

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of inclination And yes, Rick and Emily, huge allies, love working with them, no inclination of wanting to turn on them. Terry Terrones, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026 Lawlor’s book contains chapters devoted to politics, but her inclination to reach for examples of the reasonable and unreasonable that any reader will intuitively share serves her less well here. Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026 The twin-engine upper stage was supposed to complete two burns to place AST SpaceMobile’s direct-to-cell satellite into an orbit approximately 285 miles (460 kilometers) above the Earth at inclination of 49 degrees to the equator. Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 19 Apr. 2026 Who knew that such daring would lead to a film that avoids these inclinations entirely, especially one that could have so easily leaned into controversial territory? David Opie, IndieWire, 15 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inclination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inclination
Noun
  • There's generally a tendency for organizations to focus too much on measuring or tracking input or activity, as opposed to output.
    Kristina Rex, CBS News, 1 May 2026
  • His playoff history and tendency to let up weak goals do raise some red flags.
    Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Nick’s Restaurants is taking another ride through Orange County, this time with a Western tilt.
    Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
  • The current maps yielded a 20 to 8 Republican tilt in 2024.
    Bill Barrow, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The sight took me by surprise because this species tends to hang out in the understory of dense forests, often on steep slopes.
    Kate Wong, Scientific American, 1 May 2026
  • Felton Road is located in the Bannockburn subregion of Central Otago and grows grapes in four vineyards planted on north-facing slopes comprised of glacial soils.
    Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • Learning about her aptitude for difficult conversations, a counselor directed her toward social work instead.
    Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
  • Murray-Boyles separates himself with his defensive aptitude, though.
    Eric Koreen, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Between slick tiles and steep inclines, locals rely on comfortable, supportive shoes—usually sleek sneakers, sturdy flats, or low-profile sandals.
    Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Others, though, like the Innsdale trail, offer a more breezy walk with some incline, showing off the sparkling blue Hollywood Reservoir on a sunny day (most days in Los Angeles).
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Sometimes the batteries on the trackers would run low, and McGovern’s team would need to remove and recharge the devices, before surreptitiously replacing them.
    Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2026
  • In 2021, a critical vulnerability in Log4j—a logging library maintained by a handful of volunteers—exposed hundreds of millions of devices.
    Evan Johnson, IEEE Spectrum, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • His early work with the Heartbreakers had an affinity with the more cutting-edge sounds of punk and new wave; the term pop punk probably comes from the New York Times critic John Rockwell’s write-up of a Petty performance at the Bottom Line in 1977.
    Jack Hamilton, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
  • When Tezzus met diamond* in 2020, their affinity for music (and weed) kept them close, moving together as a unit.
    Oba Awolowo, Pitchfork, 27 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Inclination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inclination. Accessed 5 May. 2026.

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