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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While England seems to have preferred Sporting Kansas City’s training site, it is not known why Tuchel would not consider the KC Current or Rock Chalk Park options for a base camp.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
8 Jan. 2026 -
Rubio understood what many preferred to ignore.—
Duncan S. DeMarsh,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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An article in Naval History described how Loomis liked to demonstrate the ship’s Colt machine guns to local officials.—
Nathan Hodge,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
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As Joseph tried to mesh some of his own system with a more Vic Fangio-style scheme run previously by Ejiro Evero in Denver — a style many of the returning players liked — the new coordinator found himself inside a burning defensive building.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Shapiro has enjoyed robust public approval ratings and carries a reputation as a disciplined messenger and powerhouse fundraiser.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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Yates subsequently joined the San Diego Padres and enjoyed the longest sustained success of his career before bouncing to Atlanta, Texas and the Dodgers over the past three seasons.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Legislation in 2009 that extended self-government to Greenland also recognized a right to independence under international law, an option favored by a majority of Greenlanders.—
Stefanie Dazio,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
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The controversial Georgia lawmaker was first elected in 2020 and was heavily favored in the conservative district, even before her Democratic challenger abruptly dropped out two months before the election, citing plans to move out of state.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
5 Jan. 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 11 Jan. 2026.
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