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 Weinstein cautioned against reading too much in the case being assigned to a judge who may be perceived to have political leanings. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 14 July 2026 In a departure from her urbano and alternative leanings blended with notes of R&B, the six-song EP was a straightforward, traditional salsa offering that featured a collaboration with Venezuelan salsa hybrid band Rawayana on the title track. — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026 While Joanne does feature some tracks that feel thematically similar to, for example, her album Artpop, the set is remembered for its Americana, soft-pop, rock and even country leanings. — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 The artists said they weren't initially made aware of the event's political leanings when signing onto the program. — Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 29 June 2026 In other instances, when people have remarked on his literary leanings, Brooks has demurred. — Adrienne Lafrance, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026 Vermeer’s family may have had Remonstrant leanings, too. — Clare Bucknell, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026 In recent years, even states that have skewed more conservative in their political leanings, such as Missouri, Nebraska, and Florida, have voted overwhelmingly to increase their minimum wage to $15 an hour. — Paxton Honerkamp, CNBC, 21 June 2026 Trump has long invoked the term against a range of political opponents, including peaceful protesters without anarchist-leanings. — ABC News, 16 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for leanings

Noun

Pica and compulsive tendencies There’s an important distinction between chewing and pica in cats.

— Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
Except her version of fun involves vengeance, sly righteousness and the exposure of humanity’s darker tendencies.

— Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026

Definition of tendencies

Noun

The solution Ciufolini proposed decades ago while working with physicist John Archibald Wheeler was to use two satellites in supplementary orbits, meaning with orbital inclinations that sum to 180 degrees.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2026
Getty Choosing a college major has always been a big life decision, influenced by not only personal inclinations and talents, but also by starting salaries.

— Courtney Connley-Hampton, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Definition of inclinations

Noun

With just one full month of summer left, now’s the time to lean into the season’s boldest manicure trends before fall’s moodier color palette takes over.

— Odeya Pinkus, InStyle, 19 July 2026
Unlike trends that involve shoving one pastry into another, salt bread’s virality is rooted in simplicity, capturing attention with little other than butter and a bit of salt.

— Candy Hom, AJC.com, 19 July 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

In her memoir, Andrews mentions that her children briefly attended UCLA Lab School and that Joanna had affinities for horseback riding and reading.

— Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 23 June 2026
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

Definition of affinities

Noun

Users can explore featuring different models, poses, backgrounds and visual directions.

— Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 20 July 2026
While the driver struggles at the wheel, the rest of the crew must scout, scream directions to the driver and operate winches to pull the rig out of mud or dangle it over cliffs.

— Jason Bennett, Arkansas Online, 19 July 2026