1
as in tendencies
a prevailing or general movement or inclination
the news media are often accused of having liberal leanings
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of leanings
During that period of time, the majority of American journalists worked for newspapers with definite political leanings, and many newspapers were started by the parties themselves.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026
Bishop Eckman says this resurgence is not a political movement and the new Catholics are right-wing, left-wing and in the middle — driven by their heart rather than their political leanings.
—Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 26 May 2026
Her 15 months in the role were marked by friction with Trump sparked by her more libertarian leanings — her past opposition to war with Iran, for one, made for particularly awkward Hill testimony soon after the president entered the current conflict.
—Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 22 May 2026
With ideological division in the Republican Party over social issues and approaches to government spending, the type of bills the Idaho Legislature passes can change dramatically based on the leanings of the Republicans who get elected.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 20 May 2026
She surely was also exposed to Madame Charlotte Mentelle’s feminist beliefs and abolitionist leanings.
—Thomas Mallon, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Obviously, political pressure and Hollywood's ideological leanings could lead to a total rethink of the character to take it further away from what book author Ian Fleming intended.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026
The winner will almost certainly take the November general election because of the state's Republican leanings.
—ABC News, 15 May 2026
Clearly Laverty and Céspedes have strong humanist leanings.
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 12 May 2026
Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026
Bishop Eckman says this resurgence is not a political movement and the new Catholics are right-wing, left-wing and in the middle — driven by their heart rather than their political leanings.
—Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 26 May 2026
Her 15 months in the role were marked by friction with Trump sparked by her more libertarian leanings — her past opposition to war with Iran, for one, made for particularly awkward Hill testimony soon after the president entered the current conflict.
—Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 22 May 2026
With ideological division in the Republican Party over social issues and approaches to government spending, the type of bills the Idaho Legislature passes can change dramatically based on the leanings of the Republicans who get elected.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 20 May 2026
She surely was also exposed to Madame Charlotte Mentelle’s feminist beliefs and abolitionist leanings.
—Thomas Mallon, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Obviously, political pressure and Hollywood's ideological leanings could lead to a total rethink of the character to take it further away from what book author Ian Fleming intended.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026
The winner will almost certainly take the November general election because of the state's Republican leanings.
—ABC News, 15 May 2026
Clearly Laverty and Céspedes have strong humanist leanings.
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 12 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leanings
Noun
-
Even so, there is a real responsibility on the introverted leader to understand how their natural tendencies land with the people around them and how to be most effective within that awareness.—
Bill Koch,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
-
This summer, Disneyland is leaning all the way into its patriotic tendencies.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2026
Noun
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Born to a humble family in the twilight years of the shogunate, Higuchi Natsuko (as she was born) was the fourth child and second daughter of a man with scholarly inclinations, who as a farmer had come to the capital to seek both fortune and rank.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 May 2026
-
Over the last week or so, the four satellites adjusted their inclinations—the angles of their orbits to the equator—by less than a degree.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
The collaboration arrives amid broader industry discussions surrounding originality and ownership in beauty, where viral trends often move faster than proper attribution.—
Corein Carter,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
-
Like many early 2000s trends now making a comeback (think wedge sandals and low-rise pants), the halter top has shed much of the overt flashiness that once defined it.—
Lauren Fisher,
Footwear News,
30 May 2026
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
Noun
-
The importance of the weather D-day, secretly known as Operation Overlord, was timed based on several factors, including the weather, the tides and the moonlight.—
Emily Zemler,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
-
Establish the right principles, deliver it with the right language and methods, and all tides will rise.—
Spencer Nusbaum,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
Spanish society has always had a relatively high tolerance for Latin American immigrants, who speak the local language and share certain cultural affinities.—
Rogé Karma,
The Atlantic,
1 June 2026
-
Squarcialupi said the time is now ripe for the brand to cross borders, toward Spain and other Mediterranean countries that have affinities with Italy.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
Pedestrians surged in all directions along the sidewalks.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
Some of the resort offerings feel a little forced (or like an episode of White Lotus), especially the Haab dinner experience when locals dress up in traditional Maya garb and put on a performance to honor the four cardinal directions.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leanings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leanings. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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