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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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaning (toward or towards)

Verb

In July, the debate generated considerable dissent on the policy view, with three FOMC members voting against the decision to hold, preferring instead a quarter-point hike.

— Jeff Cox, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026
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

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

How could America’s most selective universities continue favoring children of alumni after the Supreme Court prohibited them from favoring underrepresented minority applicants?

— Jayson Weingarten, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026
One play after leaving favoring his right arm, McKenzie broke free for a 45-yard run to the Hokies 5.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of favoring

Verb

Three gunmen barged into a small house in an impoverished neighborhood in South Africa and opened fire on a group enjoying a party inside, killing at least 11 people including a pregnant woman, police and local authorities said Wednesday.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026
Another shot showed Meghan, McKee Zajfen and Meghan’s longtime friend Marcus Anderson enjoying a game of mahjong and glasses of wine in the backyard.

— Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 23 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.

Browse Nearby Words

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 28 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of leaning (toward or towards)

verb

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