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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaned (toward or towards)
Verb
-
Some of the kinder ones would give a Christmas tip if the apprentices did a good job cleaning their boots but others, basking in the new money of the Premier League, preferred to peacock.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026 -
The rest, led by the two women who walked at the front, preferred to be burned alive.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Lund tends to be pretty well-liked around the sport for his pro-style game.—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
That's why all those strangers liked me so much.—
Shafiq Najib,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
From his Palm Beach and New York mansions and his luxurious apartment in Paris, Epstein enjoyed a remarkable level of access to sensitive information like the outcomes of political meetings and the itineraries of Gulf royals.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
-
When weather permits, meals can be enjoyed under the pergola in the garden.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Once favored by scientists and royalty, Haghartsin now holds the graves of kings.—
Marlise Kast-Myers,
Boston Herald,
12 Apr. 2026
-
It’s been roughly 11 months since the Knicks and Celtics met in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs last season, a series ending in disaster for the Celtics, who were favored to beat the Knicks before blowing consecutive 20-point leads to open the semifinals.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Leaned (toward or towards).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaned%20%28toward%20or%20towards%29. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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