LEANED (TOWARD OR TOWARDS) Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

leaned (toward or towards)

verb

past tense of lean (toward or towards)

as in preferred

to show partiality toward I'm leaning toward sausage on our pizza tonight—we got pepperoni the last three times

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaned (toward or towards)

Verb

One group wanted to sell it, while the other preferred to keep it.

— Alejandro Cárdenas Villa, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
This is a slightly closer margin than when the same poll was conducted in April, when 49% of voters preferred Democrats and 44% selected Republicans.

— Emily R. Condon, USA Today, 26 July 2026

Definition of preferred

Verb

As portal season approached this year, Iowa considered all options and liked the progress of its younger prospects.

— Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 24 July 2026
His critics liked to point out that the team’s weaknesses were partly his own doing, a consequence of his demands.

— Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 24 July 2026

Definition of liked

Verb

The extraordinary allegation offers a window into the waning days of an increasingly hostile primary race to replace Kelly, who has enjoyed broad popularity throughout her eight years in office.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
The polar bears, who were born in Nuremberg, Germany, 16 years ago and have adapted to the European climate, were the ones who enjoyed it the most.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026

Definition of enjoyed

Verb

Team Spoon is slightly favored to beat Team Coop, with four-time MVP Wilson headlining a starting lineup that also features breakout rookie Miles and superstar Clark.

— Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 25 July 2026
If this year goes the way the past two have gone, Winter Park would likely make the Open 8, instead of being favored to win another state title.

— Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2026

Definition of favored

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

leaned (on or against)

leaned (toward or towards)

leaning

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Leaned (toward or towards).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaned%20%28toward%20or%20towards%29. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of leaned (toward or towards)

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

spindrift

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes