as in slopes
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in tilts
to set or cause to be at an angle
carefully inclined the ladder against the house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inclines
Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
Servicing a mountainous areas like Escondido drives up costs, as an expensive network of pipes and pump stations is needed to move water up and down considerable inclines, said Kyle Morgan, the city’s acting director of utilities and wastewater.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
The result is a strong ability to climb inclines, and better balance on more rugged, technical terrain.
—New Atlas, 1 Mar. 2026
Yards with narrow passages, tight corners, and many obstacles like trees, shrubs, or garden beds, or steep inclines make the use of a riding lawnmower, especially a traditional riding mower, more tedious than helpful.
—Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 22 Feb. 2026
But the car—small, low to the ground, and exceedingly heavy, owing to the ballistic steel and glass—is not suited to a city like Caracas, which is rife with steep inclines and deep potholes, and is best travelled in a four-by-four.
—Armando Ledezma, New Yorker, 14 Jan. 2026
Its flexible 3-layer HydroWall shell is completely waterproof and still breathable, with pit zips to release excess heat on steep inclines.
—Annita Katee, Travel + Leisure, 16 Dec. 2025
Those with knee issues who can tackle inclines can make a few adjustments.
—Julia Ries Wexler, Outside, 13 Dec. 2025
Several sections south of town offered up steep, short, rocky inclines that did not feel particularly rideable on a bike loaded with camping gear and five days of food and fuel.
—Shaun McKinnon, AZCentral.com, 4 Nov. 2025
New Atlas, 15 Mar. 2026
The whole experience inclines the young awabi to neither homing nor roaming.
—Literary Hub, 23 Feb. 2026
The simulation added challenges for the avatars — like slippery floors, inclines or stiff joints – and homed in on the best way for Atlas to perform the jumping jacks.
—Bill Whitaker, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
Side inclines with a twist and teasers target your oblique muscles.
—Health Editorial Team, Health, 20 Dec. 2025
Every participant walked and jogged on their folding treadmill at least four times a week, using various speeds and inclines to assess the machine’s versatility, durability, and comfort during use.
—Claire Harmeyer, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
So, over the years, adventurous customizers have transplanted everything from Porsche engines to small-block V-8s into the model in an attempt to crest inclines at more than a snail’s pace.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 19 Sep. 2025
This output force enabled the robot to traverse difficult to navigate terrains—including soil, rough stone, PVC, glass, wood, and inclines between 5 and 15 degrees—while keeping a consistent speed.
—IEEE Spectrum, 12 Aug. 2025
Noun
The story follows struggling creatives navigating debt, eviction threats and a precarious gig economy, visualized in Riley’s inventive style — from looming piles of eviction notices to characters literally struggling up and down steep inclines that mirror the instability of their lives.
—Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
Servicing a mountainous areas like Escondido drives up costs, as an expensive network of pipes and pump stations is needed to move water up and down considerable inclines, said Kyle Morgan, the city’s acting director of utilities and wastewater.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
The result is a strong ability to climb inclines, and better balance on more rugged, technical terrain.
—New Atlas, 1 Mar. 2026
Yards with narrow passages, tight corners, and many obstacles like trees, shrubs, or garden beds, or steep inclines make the use of a riding lawnmower, especially a traditional riding mower, more tedious than helpful.
—Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 22 Feb. 2026
But the car—small, low to the ground, and exceedingly heavy, owing to the ballistic steel and glass—is not suited to a city like Caracas, which is rife with steep inclines and deep potholes, and is best travelled in a four-by-four.
—Armando Ledezma, New Yorker, 14 Jan. 2026
Its flexible 3-layer HydroWall shell is completely waterproof and still breathable, with pit zips to release excess heat on steep inclines.
—Annita Katee, Travel + Leisure, 16 Dec. 2025
Those with knee issues who can tackle inclines can make a few adjustments.
—Julia Ries Wexler, Outside, 13 Dec. 2025
Several sections south of town offered up steep, short, rocky inclines that did not feel particularly rideable on a bike loaded with camping gear and five days of food and fuel.
—Shaun McKinnon, AZCentral.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
It is rated to handle inclines up to 50% (27°) and is designed to tackle soft soil, mud, exposed roots and molehills without constant intervention.
—New Atlas, 15 Mar. 2026
The whole experience inclines the young awabi to neither homing nor roaming.
—Literary Hub, 23 Feb. 2026
The simulation added challenges for the avatars — like slippery floors, inclines or stiff joints – and homed in on the best way for Atlas to perform the jumping jacks.
—Bill Whitaker, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
Side inclines with a twist and teasers target your oblique muscles.
—Health Editorial Team, Health, 20 Dec. 2025
Every participant walked and jogged on their folding treadmill at least four times a week, using various speeds and inclines to assess the machine’s versatility, durability, and comfort during use.
—Claire Harmeyer, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
So, over the years, adventurous customizers have transplanted everything from Porsche engines to small-block V-8s into the model in an attempt to crest inclines at more than a snail’s pace.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 19 Sep. 2025
This output force enabled the robot to traverse difficult to navigate terrains—including soil, rough stone, PVC, glass, wood, and inclines between 5 and 15 degrees—while keeping a consistent speed.
—IEEE Spectrum, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inclines
Noun
-
Areas above 6,000 feet across the western slopes of the northern Sierra Nevada—including Donner Pass—could see between 6 and 12 inches of snow, and northern Trinity county could get up to 6 inches of snow by Thursday morning.—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Massive yuccas and barrel cacti stud its steep slopes.—
Alex Wigglesworth,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
To perform forward motion, the two rear rotors increase speed while the front rotors simultaneously reduce speed, creating an imbalance that tilts the drone and propels it forward.—
Etiido Uko
March 30,
New Atlas,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The public mood is dark, the president is underwater, and the congressional ballot already tilts toward the opposition.—
Dan Gooding,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This is due in part to the influence of an expected El Niño, a natural climate pattern that tends to reduce Atlantic hurricane activity.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Turning 65 may feel like a milestone, but retirement tends to work best when guided by a clear plan.—
Bruce Helmer,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This is the standard for ramp inclinations that are usable for most people, especially wheelchair users.—
K. Desbouis,
Artforum,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Trump’s inclinations to make every race about him could foul this for the GOP.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This tchotchke adds some flair and also works as a stand that angles the lens upward.—
Jim Fisher,
PC Magazine,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Compassionate Venus angles off auspicious Jupiter, spotlighting your 8th House of Generous Intimacy, which could signal adjustments around trust and money.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The bustling suburban area, which includes Clay and Platte counties, typically leans more conservative than the city’s urban core.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The new collection features official away jerseys for 25 partner federations—each boasts a Trefoil on the chest and leans heavily into nostalgic ’90s design.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inclines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inclines. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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