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

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
After liftoff, the V-2 started tilting midair and only made it to an altitude of 15,000 feet (4,600 meters) before falling back to Earth.

— Tariq Malik, Space.com, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of tilting

Verb

Boley is throwing to a trio of star receivers in Omarion Miller, Reed Harris and Grayson Rigdon instead of leaning so heavily on single talents like Cam Skattebo in 2024 and Jordyn Tyson last season.

— The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Kirk toured college campuses and got in political arguments with left-leaning students, and Kozak, a student at UVU, wanted to debate Kirk’s past statements about transgender mass shooters.

— Elle Reeve, CNN Money, 8 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

In 1947, French fashion designer Christian Dior debuted a curvy, hourglass style that emphasized a full bust, cinched waist, and sloping hips.

— April White, JSTOR Daily, 2 Sep. 2026
Though pictured largely unfurnished, the area looks well-proportioned, with room for a sofa and a coffee table, plus an entertainment center, even if those trademark sloping walls might make installing some furniture a little awkward.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of sloping

Verb

Fixing things and writing songs, touring around on his ATV, tending to the horses.

— Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2026
At the moment, her partner is outside in the yard tending to their dog—named Billie Holiday—so Elizabeth feels free to fully speak her truth about everything from her upbringing to furniture.

— Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 7 Sep. 2026