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

What history shows is that a debt stock that keeps tilting toward shorter maturities is usually a sign that borrowing costs have begun to dictate policy.

— James Broughel, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
The streamer of gas tilting the system's outer ring was discovered through new ALMA observations.

— Keith Cooper, Space.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of tilting

Verb

The company is also leaning into classics with current releases including 4K restorations of Ryosuke Hashiguchi’s All Around Us and Hush!

— Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026
That’s because the scent leads with a masculine-leaning opening of almond blossom, pink pepper, and neroli, before softening to its woody vanilla base.

— Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 25 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

Her duties include reading slush-pile submissions, making coffee, and tending to the needs of high-profile guests during Platen’s many exclusive fêtes.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
The shepherd’s rod and staff, tools used in tending and protecting sheep, reinforce the sense of security.

— Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Aug. 2026