leaning 1 of 3

as in oblique
running in a slanting direction the leaning tower of Pisa is a popular tourist attraction in Italy

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

leaning

2 of 3

noun

leaning

3 of 3

verb

present participle of lean

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun leaning contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of leaning are penchant, proclivity, and propensity. While all these words mean "a strong instinct or liking for something," leaning suggests a liking or attraction not strong enough to be decisive or uncontrollable.

a student with artistic leanings

When might penchant be a better fit than leaning?

In some situations, the words penchant and leaning are roughly equivalent. However, penchant implies a strongly marked taste in the person or an irresistible attraction in the object.

a penchant for taking risks

When is proclivity a more appropriate choice than leaning?

The words proclivity and leaning can be used in similar contexts, but proclivity suggests a strong natural proneness usually to something objectionable or evil.

a proclivity for violence

In what contexts can propensity take the place of leaning?

The meanings of propensity and leaning largely overlap; however, propensity implies a deeply ingrained and usually irresistible inclination.

a propensity to offer advice

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of leaning
Noun
Without active practice relating in new ways to one another, team members’ mere understanding of each others’ preferences and leanings is rarely effective. Rebecca Fraser-Thill, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025 The Trump administration’s cuts to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funding for state and local health departments had vastly uneven effects depending on the political leanings of a state, according to a KFF Health News analysis. Henry Larweh, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
Trump is now threatening to deploy the Guard in other left-leaning cities. Zac Anderson, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025 The district then expands to include the Republican-leaning counties in Missouri’s Ozarks region. Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for leaning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaning
Adjective
  • After going down with an oblique injury earlier this month, top rookie Roman Anthony was given a four-to-six-week timeline for a potential return to the lineup.
    Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Hill missed nearly a month of training camp and preseason with an oblique injury.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Mother Monster took home the artist of the year award, best collaboration, best direction, and best art direction at the MTV Video Music Awards, which took place at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.
    Clare Fisher, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Once the band reaches your chest, slowly reverse the direction, keeping your elbows straight.
    Jakob Roze, Health, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Nowadays people see small images on their phones so there’s a tendency to crop in on everything.
    Adam Morganstern, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • With that said, his biggest flaw remains a tendency to sail throws high from the pocket.
    Tim Crowley, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The issue isn’t just price, but power; institutions see what retail never can, tilting the game and deepening mistrust.
    Anmol Verma, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Aerial footage captured by ABC News' Los Angeles station, KABC, showed the Mississippi tilting to one side after two stacks of containers collapsed.
    Doc Louallen, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Jong-Fast shoulders the duties of caring for her mother and her ailing stepfather—or of guiltily hiring others to do so—while also tending to her husband, who has been diagnosed with cancer.
    Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Francoise is tending to her little monster son.
    Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Frequent nicks, ingrown hairs, dry patches, and razor burn can result when relying on shaving as your primary hair removal method — but with the proper tools and techniques, these unpleasant side effects can be avoided.
    Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Rather than relying solely on glossy imagery or abstract measurements, its website takes a consumer-first approach.
    Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Levine Cava noted that her 2026 budget proposal has funds for a new animal shelter in South Miami-Dade but that sterilization efforts need to increase significantly to turn the tide on the dog population.
    Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Although the tide is turning (subscription required), there’s still a misconception that the trades are low-paying, dead-end jobs.
    Andrew Schaap, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Kinloch noted the Legislature has shown no inclination to advance bills that create arena taxes.
    Malachi Barrett, Freep.com, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Vesting oversight primarily in defense departments and ministries is a traditional inclination.
    GARY ROUGHEAD, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Leaning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaning. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

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