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
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Every morning, guests open up their cabin screen doors to the crisp mountain air and a jug of coffee (or tea, if preferred) with fresh milk (with non-dairy options).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 June 2026 -
Habermas preferred to speak through newspaper essays—hundreds of them, on a multitude of topics, from postmodern architecture to genetic engineering.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
Verb
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While her daughter and her friends were playing, Kerry noticed a snake in her garden and, knowing her brother liked animals and lived nearby, sought out his help.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
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Dane Cordes was an adrenaline junky and, according to those who knew him, was someone who liked fast cars, fast bikes, water sports and skydiving.—
Jack Harvel,
Kansas City Star,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Colorado Avalanche executive Joe Sakic followed a similar path, while others who enjoyed long on-ice careers and went on to win Cups as coaches like Quenneville and Randy Carlyle didn’t have nearly as strong of HHOF cases as players as Brind’Amour does.—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
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This is exactly what to expect here—a complete connection with Iceland’s toughest terrain, best enjoyed during the warmer months between May and September.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 June 2026
Verb
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While powerhouse Germany is favored to win, don’t rule Curaçao out.—
Alex Connor,
USA Today,
14 June 2026
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The Dutch are favored to advance out of the group stage, but the team has struggled with injuries; defender Jurrien Timber has already left because of a groin injury and goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen is nursing a recent hip injury.—
Steven Rosenbaum,
CBS News,
14 June 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 18 Jun. 2026.
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