lean (toward or towards)

verb

Definition of lean (toward or towards)next
as in to like
to show partiality toward I'm leaning toward sausage on our pizza tonight—we got pepperoni the last three times

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lean (toward or towards)
  1. like
  2. prefer
  3. favor
Verb
  • Shilpa's incredible pie crust has cream cheese in it or there are many pie makers that like to use lard or shortenings.
    — Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 July 2026
  • And what that’s telling us is that there’s a molecule, ozone in that case, that really likes to absorb that wavelength of light and therefore make the planet appear a little bit larger.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 9 July 2026
Definition of like
Verb
  • Under owner Arte Moreno, the Angels have resisted rebuilding, preferring to add lower-tier free agents and rush college players to the major leagues in an effort to field a competitive roster.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Ice plant sounds like the sort of thing that would prefer a cooler climate, but Delosperma cooperi thrives in warm, dry weather.
    — Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 6 July 2026
Definition of prefer
Verb
  • If an island getaway is favored, there are plenty of options across the globe to choose from, all with pristine beaches and seaside charm.
    — Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
  • After Ecuador’s disappointing draw against Curaçao, against which it had been heavily favored, Hernandez reëvaluated his plans.
    — Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 6 July 2026
Definition of favor
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.

Browse Nearby Words

lean-tos
lean (toward or towards)
leap
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lean (toward or towards).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lean%20%28toward%20or%20towards%29. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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