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)
Verb
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The word came more vividly to mind on a recent Thursday hike with friends, including Sarah Donohoe, a neighbor who like me is a newspaper columnist.—
Charles Hammer,
Kansas City Star,
27 Aug. 2025 -
Preferably, Villa would have liked to sign last season’s loanees Marcus Rashford and Asensio — the latter deal may well materialise this week — but did not have the resources to do so at the start of the summer.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Neutrogena Clean Face Oil-free Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 Recor prefers this oil-free SPF for his face while flying.—
Kristy Alpert,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Sep. 2025
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The cool-season annual needs full sun and well-draining soil to grow, and prefers mild temperatures.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The poll showed Sherrill winning the support of 46 percent of the likely voters, Ciattarelli garnering 39 percent, 12 percent not sure and 2 percent favoring others.—
Robert Birsel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
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My mom has always favored my brothers financially.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
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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 6 Sep. 2025.
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