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
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Parents expressed opposition to a proposal that would create a dedicated gifted academy, preferring existing programs.—
Erick Trevino,
AZCentral.com,
18 Sep. 2025 -
Additionally, self-help podcasts grew by 35% between 2019 and 2022 and apps also reflect shifting habits, with 70% of users preferring mindfulness and meditation tools.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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No matter how meritless the lawsuit (for example, the Times suit boils down to simply not liking the coverage), several companies settled in order to curry favor.—
Matt Robison,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Sep. 2025
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Praise feels great, ridicule or people not liking it doesn't.—
Steve Baltin,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Lamb re-entered the game early in the second quarter, but was only back for one play before coming back out, noticeably favoring his left leg.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Sep. 2025
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Over the years, government policies favoring the private sector and companies aiming to profit from the country’s natural resources were put in place to boost the economy after it was devastated by events like Hurricane Mitch in 1998 and the 2009 coup that ousted then-president José Manuel Zelaya.—
Hira Humayun,
CNN Money,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Trumps otherwise basked in the royal limelight on Wednesday, visibly enjoying the pomp and ceremony, which included a royal gun salute, carriage procession through Windsor and guard of honor.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
18 Sep. 2025
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The league's punitive new CBA was designed to limit the richest teams from enjoying a significant cash flow advantage over its poorest clubs.—
Alex Kirschenbaum,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 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 24 Sep. 2025.
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