as in oblique
running in a slanting direction
the leaning tower of Pisa is a popular tourist attraction in Italy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in direction
a prevailing or general movement or inclination
the news media are often accused of having liberal leanings
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in tendency
a habitual attraction to some activity or thing
despite what his athletic leanings might suggest, he was actually a very lazy kid
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in tilting
to set or cause to be at an angle
just lean the ladder against the tree and climb up it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tending
to show a liking or proneness (for something)
the family's diet leans toward greasy food
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in relying
to place reliance or trust
you can always lean on me if you need help
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of leaning
Guney Yildiz, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Outlets of all political leanings, from CNN to Newsmax, backed the WHCA's ongoing effort to fully restore the AP's White House access.
—Kyler Alvord, People.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Casually leaning back in a chair, surrounded by other retirees in Plantation, Marc Kaye, 78, expresses the same emotions as Wilde.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leaning
Noun
Unlike his predecessors, Trump emphasizes unilateral economic gains, evident in his leaning to lift AI export curbs for the UAE and decoupling Saudi-Israel normalization from nuclear cooperation.
—Guney Yildiz, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Outlets of all political leanings, from CNN to Newsmax, backed the WHCA's ongoing effort to fully restore the AP's White House access.
—Kyler Alvord, People.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
Voila, the best of both worlds entails leaning into generative AI and LLMs as your negotiating tutor.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Casually leaning back in a chair, surrounded by other retirees in Plantation, Marc Kaye, 78, expresses the same emotions as Wilde.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leaning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaning
Adjective
-
Heyward has been out since May 24 with a left oblique strain.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 June 2025
-
Despite his missing time early this season with an oblique injury, all of that work has paid off.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
10 June 2025
Noun
-
For too long, the balance in Maryland has tipped entirely in one direction — shielding dangerous behavior while completely ignoring the voices of victims.—
Robin Grammer,
Baltimore Sun,
19 June 2025
-
Emerging from the London Underground, Turnpike Lane has a bustling shopping area in either direction: cafés, supermarkets and takeaways with plenty of people mulling about.—
Eduardo Tansley,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
Noun
-
Having been sober for many decades herself, Bev recognizes the narcissism of addiction, the way addicts have a tendency to put themselves at the center of the universe.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
28 June 2025
-
People with avoidant tendencies often pull away emotionally, while those with anxious tendencies may cling out of fear.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
The trailer for With Love, Meghan was released two weeks ahead of the show's premiere and features the Duchess performing a number of activities from tending to a beehive to arranging flowers at a shop and hosting a mix of friends and celebrity guests.—
Rebecca Aizin,
People.com,
3 Jan. 2025
-
The trailer for With Love, Meghan was released two weeks ahead of the show's premiere and features the Duchess performing a number of activities from tending to a beehive to arranging flowers at a shop and hosting a mix of friends and celebrity guests.—
Rebecca Aizin,
People.com,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Heightened by the absence of Klay Thompson’s floor-spacing, Curry has been facing kitchen-sink defenses and relying on role players to relieve the building pressure.—
Marcus Thompson II,
The Athletic,
4 Jan. 2025
-
Use curiosity to guide problem-solving instead of relying on control.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes,
4 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
While the rising tide of corporate sustainability is creating worldwide big wave patterns, JCK and the Kering Group are surfing those waves together.—
Kyle Roderick,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
-
However, Schaeffer’s fiery response to Freeman’s strikeout clearly turned the tides in his dugout.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
29 June 2025
Noun
-
And, swear to God, my inclination to be a doctor was that.—
Kimberly Dishongh,
Arkansas Online,
22 June 2025
-
And Just Like That is out of a inclination to see Carrie continue to live her messy and fabulous life as a pretty egregiously out-of-touch Manhattan socialite.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
This summer, beauty trends are all about softness with a side of shimmer.—
Larry Stansbury,
Essence,
27 June 2025
-
Now, if the trend reporters are to be believed, jellies are back.—
Jillian Steinhauer,
New Yorker,
27 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Leaning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaning. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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