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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaning (toward or towards)

Verb

This dependency significantly reduces a business's value, as potential buyers view it as a major risk, preferring repeatable commercial systems over individual heroics.

— Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Tomatoes have similar growing needs to jalapeños, preferring warm temperatures and rich soil.

— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 28 July 2026

Definition of preferring

Verb

As well as left-wing options, United have looked at potential left-backs, with people at the club liking Newcastle’s Lewis Hall.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 21 July 2026
The poll found that while older adults are more likely to vote, donate money or join groups, nearly half of young people under the age of 30 prefer to engage politically by liking or sharing news content online.

— Casey Parks, Washington Post, 20 July 2026

Definition of liking

Verb

Single-species forests of conifers are drier than mixed forests of broadleaf trees and conifers, favoring flames.

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
Democratic leaders fear that the outlier opinions favoring police defunding may again tarnish the party’s brand and sink its chances of gaining ground in Congress, governor’s mansions and statehouses nationwide.

— Matt Brown, Fortune, 31 July 2026

Definition of favoring

Verb

Couples from Copenhagen enjoying a sunny weekend away, as well as the odd tourist.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026
Just over four years ago in May 2022, 10-year-old Ukrainian rhythmic gymnast Sasha Paskal and her mother, Maria, were enjoying some time together in the scenic seaside village of Zatoka in the Odesa region of southwestern Ukraine.

— Emile Nuh, CNN Money, 31 July 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

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Leaning (toward or towards).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaning%20%28toward%20or%20towards%29. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of leaning (toward or towards)

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

mitigate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes