LEANING (TOWARD OR TOWARDS) Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

leaning (toward or towards)

verb

Definition of leaning (toward or towards)

present participle of lean (toward or towards)

as in preferring

to show partiality toward I'm leaning toward sausage on our pizza tonight—we got pepperoni the last three times

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaning (toward or towards)

Verb

What’s more, many older adult don’t generally think of counseling as an option in the first place, research suggests – instead preferring informal sources of help over professional mental health services.

— Lee Ann Rawlins Williams, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2026
The first part of the process happens in a fight camp, with Rickards preferring to start work between eight and 12 weeks from a bout.

— Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of preferring

Verb

For anyone considering the field, Carpenter emphasizes that success is about more than simply liking babies.

— Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2026
For now, however, what the numbers actually show is a world adjusting to the new reality of great-power competition, feeling forced to choose one side without the luxury of liking it.

— Adam Y. Liu, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of liking

Verb

This matchup should be very close, even though the books are favoring Van to win this one.

— OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026
Before the jury deliberated, Justice Dewey summarized the case, controversially favoring Lizzie’s innocence while citing her character and involvement in her church.

— Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of favoring

Verb

Not even a tremendously good TikTok from Whitney Leavitt could save her husband from elimination when facing the late-night-TV-enjoying population.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
Faisal Bashir | Lightrocket | Getty Images BEIJING — China's artificial intelligence models may be enjoying rapid adoption but that isn't yet translating into revenue, raising questions about company valuations.

— Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of enjoying

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.

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leanings

leaning (toward or towards)

leanness

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“Leaning (toward or towards).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaning%20%28toward%20or%20towards%29. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of leaning (toward or towards)

verb

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