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
  • Meanwhile, oily or acne-prone skin types may prefer lightweight fluids and gels that are noncomedogenic and won’t feel heavy throughout the day.
    — Catharine Malzahn, Allure, 13 July 2026
  • General manager Jeff Pagliocca prefers to remain active during all trade windows, which has resulted in a flood of moves over the past three seasons that include trading away star players like Kahleah Copper, Marina Mabrey and Angel Reese.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026
Definition of prefer
Verb
  • Above-average precipitation is favored across much of the West, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center.
    — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 13 July 2026
  • Although some may disagree, or favor a one-time transfer rule, the main issue with the UIL rules is not how they are written but how inconsistently they are enforced.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 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 16 Jul. 2026.

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