as in preferring
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 leaning (toward or towards)
Verb
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Last season’s Celtics forced the fourth-fewest turnovers and ranked 24th in opponent turnover rate, preferring to defend conservatively and limit free-throw attempts.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
7 Nov. 2025 -
The overtures backfired, with Sheridan preferring a less corporate approach.—
Tatiana Siegel,
Variety,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Khattar recalled first liking science in sixth grade when her grandmother, who had been a science teacher in India, showed her the diagram of a heart.—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Nov. 2025
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Sixteen squirrels from 16 state parks competed for the title of Fat Squirrel Week Champ, with fans casting votes by liking and commenting on photos posted to each park’s Facebook page.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Poway voters are favoring the recall of City Councilmember Tony Blain in early returns Tuesday night.—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Nov. 2025
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California redistricting Proposition 50 would replace California's current congressional lines with a map favoring Democrats.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Austin Reaves is enjoying the best stretch of his NBA career, and Redick has seen contributions from a variety of players night after night.—
Cole Sullivan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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Lomax not only wrote the song but also stars in the commercial, which portrays him enjoying the Biggie Bag combo meal, a scene that turns into a lively celebration of music and food.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
5 Nov. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Leaning (toward or towards).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaning%20%28toward%20or%20towards%29. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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