INCLINING Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

inclining 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of inclining

as in bowing

bending downward or forward the inclining branches of the evergreens seemed almost ready to break under the weight of the heavy snow

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

inclining

2 of 2

verb

present participle of incline

as in tilting

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in leaning

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

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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 inclining

Verb

The trim and inclining experiment is to confirm the centre of gravity of the submarine and is measured by naval architects in both surfaced and submerged conditions. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2025 Outside a San Diego immigration court, a man, his mother, and his two daughters stand in a tight circle, inclining their heads toward a priest. — Sophie Hills, Christian Science Monitor, 30 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inclining

Adjective

James O’Donoghue, a planetary scientist with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, likened our planet’s tilting phenomenon to a nodding head.

— Aylin Woodward, WSJ, 21 Dec. 2021

Definition of nodding

Verb

On the dashboard, radar whines – tilting higher in pitch the faster cars go.

— Sarah Matusek, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Sep. 2026
Some Cardinals players were spotted in their dugout ahead of the game sporting crooked caps, and one player incorporated a slight hat-tilting motion into his post-hit celebration.

— Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of tilting

Verb

The company is leaning further into the broader running boom, offering more than 17,000 Tread-specific classes and adding race-training programs designed to take members through full training for events like the New York City Marathon.

— Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 22 Sep. 2026
The ambitious proposal to create what is often called a sovereign wealth fund has drawn skepticism from Democrats and conservative-leaning think tanks.

— Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of leaning

Adjective

And every day, across from them, outside the clinic, about to enter or just leaving, there were women hugging each other and weeping.

— David Mamet, National Review, 11 Aug. 2022
The show manages to stay on the brink — always laughing, never quite weeping — for its entire length.

— Helen Shaw, Vulture, 8 Dec. 2021

Definition of weeping

Verb

McConnell and Florjancic blasted tee shots on the 414-yard par-4, leaving both within 100 yards of the steep, downhill-sloping green.

— Harris Horowitz, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026
The two adults-only sloping pools are surrounded by decks with towel service and poolside dining.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of sloping

Verb

Millennial mothers and fathers in the United States spend more time tending to their offspring than Gen X-ers did.

— Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026
Older people may experience a mental boost by tending to their grandchildren, with one study showing higher scores on memory and verbal fluency tests in grandparents who provided care.

— Joe Hernandez, NPR, 20 Sep. 2026