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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of leanings
Predicting their draft leanings is often a fruitless endeavor, for the media and for players themselves.
—
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
Catholics should be focused on living out the gospel, Wenski said, which may put them at odds with their own political leanings.
—Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
And those leanings have been clear — draft a defensive lineman or receiver early, don’t worry about offensive linemen and then shoot for the moon in Round 3.
—Vic Tafur, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Your zodiac sign, with its distinct personality traits and aesthetic leanings, offers a surprisingly fitting blueprint for finding a ring that feels deeply personal.
—Kelsey Stiegman, InStyle, 3 Apr. 2026
Many polls show dramatic splits in sentiment based on political leanings, but not this one.
—Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 1 Apr. 2026
Importantly, these moderating effects persisted even when bots were given information about users’ political leanings, suggesting the influence is not just a result of tailoring responses to users.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
Espina is also open about his personal political leanings—and his personal ambitions.
—Graciela Mochkofsky, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Two Republicans currently lead the governor's race in recent polls, despite the state's liberal leanings, as a large number of Democrats led by Swalwell split the vote.
—Perry Stein The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 29 Mar. 2026
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
Catholics should be focused on living out the gospel, Wenski said, which may put them at odds with their own political leanings.
—Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
And those leanings have been clear — draft a defensive lineman or receiver early, don’t worry about offensive linemen and then shoot for the moon in Round 3.
—Vic Tafur, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Your zodiac sign, with its distinct personality traits and aesthetic leanings, offers a surprisingly fitting blueprint for finding a ring that feels deeply personal.
—Kelsey Stiegman, InStyle, 3 Apr. 2026
Many polls show dramatic splits in sentiment based on political leanings, but not this one.
—Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 1 Apr. 2026
Importantly, these moderating effects persisted even when bots were given information about users’ political leanings, suggesting the influence is not just a result of tailoring responses to users.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
Espina is also open about his personal political leanings—and his personal ambitions.
—Graciela Mochkofsky, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Two Republicans currently lead the governor's race in recent polls, despite the state's liberal leanings, as a large number of Democrats led by Swalwell split the vote.
—Perry Stein The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 29 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leanings
Noun
-
There were no signs the victim had suicidal tendencies, according to police.—
Sofia Saric,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
-
While Heuermann could hold the key to previously-unknown details surrounding the inner workings of a serial killer’s mind, Burgess cautions the ability to work alongside the FBI could feed into any narcissistic tendencies that are frequently observed in the most heinous criminals.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Who knew that such daring would lead to a film that avoids these inclinations entirely, especially one that could have so easily leaned into controversial territory?—
David Opie,
IndieWire,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Samuel Alito’s inclinations have not been hard to discern lately.—
Peter S. Canellos,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Sign up for our weekly newsletter that goes beyond the livestream, offering a closer look at the trends and figures shaping the ETF market.—
Krysta Escobar,
CNBC,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Throughout the series, Swisher tests a variety of biotech breakthroughs and wellness trends for herself (think ketamine, red light and sound therapy).—
Erin Lassner,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
More money is apt to make homeschooling worse and far less tailored to the individual student and their interests and aptitudes by encouraging parents to substitute pricey group programs for the requisite effort of individualized instruction.—
Marie Sapirie,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
King tides — the year’s highest tides, which climate change is making more frequent and severe — stir up sediment and reduce the light that reaches the seafloor.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Once created, New Cut allowed colonial travelers to rely on strong sea tides to carry them through the canal.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Its formal and ontological affinities with dysfunction, fragmentation, and violence would seem to render that debt proverbial to the point of cliché.—
Ara H. Merjian,
ARTnews.com,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Today, costly and time-consuming coachbuilding acts as a mirror for the owner’s personal style and affinities, all the while displaying the status of having formed such a close connection with a brand that you’re invited to commission something singular.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Prior to that time, a conservative who dared toss the dirty indictment at his or her opponent would face disapproval from all directions, and, of course, condemnation from the legacy media.—
Bob Ehrlich,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Now that her eldest son is in his 20s and her youngest son, 14, is old enough to stay home by himself, the actor feels ready to expand in all directions.—
Zeba Blay,
SELF,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leanings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leanings. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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