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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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 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

Its air taxi uses six tilting electric propellers to rise vertically before transitioning into forward flight.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 9 Aug. 2026
Or maybe the causality flows the other way, and the parity era has shifted into a new phase where the best way to build a winner is to acquire as much star power as possible without tilting your balance too far toward the truly elite.

— Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 30 July 2026

Definition of tilting

Verb

Trump may be taking a risk by leaning into this more, though, because Democrats may be dissuaded by his close involvement in the bill.

— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Recent polls showed the liberal-leaning Yabloko could have won seats in the parliamentary elections next month.

— Catherine Belton, Washington Post, 11 Aug. 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

Crews remained at the scene Tuesday tending to hot spots, shoring up containment lines and monitoring the area for fire activity, said Cal Fire officials in a morning update.

— Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Video from the location verified by NBC News shows medical staff dressed in white tending to infants in hospital bassinets outdoors.

— Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 10 Aug. 2026