LEANINGS Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

leanings

noun

plural of leaning

as in tendencies

a prevailing or general movement or inclination the news media are often accused of having liberal leanings

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in inclinations

a habitual attraction to some activity or thing despite what his athletic leanings might suggest, he was actually a very lazy kid

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of leanings Supporters of the plan, led by the Swiss People's Party, which includes members with pro-Russia leanings, argued that the government had gravitated too close to the European Union and NATO, particularly over Russia's war in Ukraine. — Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2026 Supporters of the plan, led by the Swiss People’s Party, which includes members with pro-Russia leanings, argued that the government had gravitated too close to the European Union and NATO, particularly over Russia’s war in Ukraine. — Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026 But, Barrera and Shaw, who registered the highest vote percentages in a crowded primary, have polar opposite political leanings and very different priorities for the state schools role. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026 Just look at Lily-Rose Depp and Charli XCX, who both incorporated the decade’s maximalist leanings into their wardrobes in authentic ways. — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 17 Sep. 2026 States’ classroom lessons don’t always map neatly with their political leanings. — Jennifer Peltz, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026 Cabrera’s abstract leanings, which differed from nationalist motifs then popular with Mexican muralists, drew her closer to the Generación de la Ruptura movement of artists, beginning in the 1950s. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 7 Sep. 2026 It was reinforced by Washington’s alliance with Pakistan and its engagement with China during the Cold War, India’s socialist leanings in the decades after its independence, in 1947, and New Delhi’s close relationship with the Soviet Union. — C. Raja Mohan, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2026 Hook's more partisan leanings are mostly limited to his social media posts. — Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for leanings

Noun

Pressure, uncertainty and stress can change the way familiar strengths and behavioral tendencies show up.

— Paula Johnston, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
As one of several players vying for time at cornerback, Auslander knew his ability to read opposing offenses’ intentions and receivers’ tendencies was critical.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of tendencies

Noun

And a lot of the time, people who have these kinds of inclinations towards children are people who were children who were abused themselves.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2026
The trustees feared that if something happened to him, his heir apparent, Robert Kahn, would replace him, and it was known that Kahn had Zionistic inclinations.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of inclinations

Noun

In addition, Carter’s will be acting faster on consumer insights and data, and accelerating the pipeline of product and innovation to better keep up with the speed at which licenses, trends and styles come and go.

— David Moin, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026
Regarding broader trends around tariffs and international production, Keogh noted that public sentiment is shifting strongly toward domestic manufacturing.

— Chase Jordan October 2, Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of trends

Noun

For this class, the premise is that your purpose in life lies to the intersection of your values, your aptitudes and your interests.

— Dana Taylor, USA Today, 6 May 2026
This model reflects Japan’s long-standing corporate culture, which prioritizes new hires for their general potential—their aptitudes and aspirations, as opposed to their current skill sets or university majors—and then trains them on the job.

— GRACIA LIU-FARRER, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2025

Definition of aptitudes

Noun

The gravitational pull of both the Moon and the Sun combine around a full moon to make the tides larger.

— Brian Tang, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026
High tides on Monday morning and Tuesday morning may bring minor to moderate coastal flooding, which is forecast to be less than over the weekend.

— Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of tides

Noun

With its affinities for isolation and, at times, imposing scale, Land art conjures archaeology and the geological sublime—vast expanses of space and time.

— Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
The looks were presented in pairs to highlight affinities, variations and visual echoes that reflect the designers’ methodology and approach rooted in the principle of duality.

— Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of affinities

Noun

Accessibility The higgledy-piggledy nature of the building, with any number of steps going in multiple different directions, does not initially scream accessibility, but there are three accessible rooms and lifts accessing every level.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Openings between each section welcome visitors from all directions.

— Footwear News, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of directions

Cite this Entry

Style

“Leanings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leanings. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of leanings

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

discreet

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

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

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

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

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

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes