INCLINE Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'incline' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of incline are bias , dispose , and predispose . While all these words mean "to influence one to have or take an attitude toward something," incline implies a tendency to favor one of two or more actions or conclusions. // I incline to agree

Q: In what contexts can 'bias' take the place of 'incline'?

In some situations, the words bias and incline are roughly equivalent. However, bias suggests a settled and predictable leaning in one direction and connotes unfair prejudice. // the experience biased him against foreigners

Q: When could 'dispose' be used to replace 'incline'?

The words dispose and incline can be used in similar contexts, but dispose suggests an affecting of one's mood or temper so as to incline one toward something. // her nature disposes her to trust others

Q: When would 'predispose' be a good substitute for 'incline'?

The words predispose and incline are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, predispose implies the operation of a disposing influence well in advance of the opportunity to manifest itself. // does fictional violence predispose them to accept real violence?

incline 1 of 2

noun

ˈin-ˌklīn

Definition of incline

as in slope

the degree to which something rises up from a position level with the horizon the steep incline of the hill meant that it was impossible to ride a bicycle up it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

incline

2 of 2

verb

in-ˈklīn

as in to slope

to set or cause to be at an angle carefully inclined the ladder against the house

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to tend

to show a liking or proneness (for something) a good restaurant for diners who incline to spicy food

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word incline different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of incline are bias, dispose, and predispose. While all these words mean "to influence one to have or take an attitude toward something," incline implies a tendency to favor one of two or more actions or conclusions.

I incline to agree

In what contexts can bias take the place of incline?

In some situations, the words bias and incline are roughly equivalent. However, bias suggests a settled and predictable leaning in one direction and connotes unfair prejudice.

the experience biased him against foreigners

When could dispose be used to replace incline?

The words dispose and incline can be used in similar contexts, but dispose suggests an affecting of one's mood or temper so as to incline one toward something.

her nature disposes her to trust others

When would predispose be a good substitute for incline?

The words predispose and incline are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, predispose implies the operation of a disposing influence well in advance of the opportunity to manifest itself.

does fictional violence predispose them to accept real violence?

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 incline

Noun

Waiting until cases are clearly on a sharp incline can mean protection will come too late. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 9 Sep. 2026 The ride takes visitors up a 100-foot incline before sending them downhill at speeds exceeding 50 mph. — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2026

Verb

Most of the time, I would be inclined to pump the brakes on a single-generation upgrade. — Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 21 Sep. 2026 So, she might not be inclined to talk about her prosthesis with you. — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for incline

Recent Examples of Synonyms for incline

Noun

In September, high tides and powerful wave activity from Hurricane Marie buffeted the San Clemente coastline, temporarily halting Pacific Surfliner and Metrolink service after more erosion and slope damage were spotted near the train tracks.

— Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
Two to 3 inches of rain are expected in the Charlotte region, the mountains and Upstate South Carolina from Isaias, with higher amounts – 3 or 4 inches – along steep slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains, NWS meteorologists said.

— Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of slope

Verb

Every moment a restaurant is not open, the balance sheet tilts a little more toward the red.

— Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Reczek and Bosley-Smith acknowledge that people with especially conflictual parental relationships were less likely to authorize parent interviews, leaving that parent subsample tilted toward more positive ties.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of tilt

Verb

Over millions and billions of years, the drag from a star’s magnetic field slows its rotation, and in fact, the astronomers found that stars with stronger magnetism tended to rotate more slowly.

— Phil Plait, Scientific American, 9 Oct. 2026
When a signal repeats that consistently, clinical guidance tends to follow.

— Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of tend

Noun

OpenAI’s closest rival, Anthropic, has shown no inclination to delay its own IPO, which is expected sometime before year’s end.

— Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
And a lot of the time, people who have these kinds of inclinations towards children are people who were children who were abused themselves.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of inclination

Verb

Award-winning chef Kai Mueller has created a large and unusual menu that leans into the location, with a much healthier twist (all dishes that are safe to have on the detox programme are clearly marked).

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
The map, called HB 1, carves Kansas City voters in three GOP-leaning districts in the hopes of securing for Republicans seven of the state’s eight congressional districts.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of lean

Browse Nearby Words

inclinations

incline

inclined

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“Incline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incline. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of incline

noun

verb

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