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
Crooks appeared to have acted alone and did not belong to any particular political leanings.
—
Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
His son notes that political books revealed his lifelong liberal leanings, while religious texts and memoirs showed his spiritual curiosity.
—Cheryl Russell, Oc Register, 31 Jan. 2026
But within the past few months, amid controversy surrounding the polarizing presence of ICE agents in American cities, the former chart-topper has embraced right-wing political leanings — and has lost a slew of fans in the process.
—Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026
Over the course of the year, the Democratic Party regained and expanded its advantage in party leanings, a trend that was borne out in the party’s strong performance in 2025 special elections compared to similar races in the more Republican-favorable 2024 election cycle.
—Chris Sims, IndyStar, 30 Jan. 2026
This article has been updated to provide more context about the study of professional athletes’ political leanings and to give a breakdown of the racial makeup of Major League Baseball.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The upstart Zentrum union is growing fast and makes no secret of its political leanings.
—William Wilkes, Bloomberg, 27 Jan. 2026
Republicans for years have claimed that social media giants have suppressed conservative views, suspicious of the Democratic leanings of some of the Silicon Valley tech titans and the workforce.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026
Indeed, China’s Latin America policy has not been discriminatory with regard to the political leanings of nations, even if Venezuela were to change course.
—Kerry E. Ratigan, The Conversation, 15 Jan. 2026
Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
His son notes that political books revealed his lifelong liberal leanings, while religious texts and memoirs showed his spiritual curiosity.
—Cheryl Russell, Oc Register, 31 Jan. 2026
But within the past few months, amid controversy surrounding the polarizing presence of ICE agents in American cities, the former chart-topper has embraced right-wing political leanings — and has lost a slew of fans in the process.
—Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026
Over the course of the year, the Democratic Party regained and expanded its advantage in party leanings, a trend that was borne out in the party’s strong performance in 2025 special elections compared to similar races in the more Republican-favorable 2024 election cycle.
—Chris Sims, IndyStar, 30 Jan. 2026
This article has been updated to provide more context about the study of professional athletes’ political leanings and to give a breakdown of the racial makeup of Major League Baseball.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The upstart Zentrum union is growing fast and makes no secret of its political leanings.
—William Wilkes, Bloomberg, 27 Jan. 2026
Republicans for years have claimed that social media giants have suppressed conservative views, suspicious of the Democratic leanings of some of the Silicon Valley tech titans and the workforce.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026
Indeed, China’s Latin America policy has not been discriminatory with regard to the political leanings of nations, even if Venezuela were to change course.
—Kerry E. Ratigan, The Conversation, 15 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leanings
Noun
-
Long takes and static formal frames compel us to stand down stimulation-seeking tendencies.—
Sophie Monks Kaufman,
IndieWire,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Lucky for me, my Type-A tendencies make this particular aspect of work feel less like a job and more like a privilege.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
This is the standard for ramp inclinations that are usable for most people, especially wheelchair users.—
K. Desbouis,
Artforum,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Trump’s inclinations to make every race about him could foul this for the GOP.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
As 2026 battery development trends point toward safer, more sustainable, and more diversified chemistries, alternative materials such as organic polymers are increasingly being explored alongside conventional lithium-ion technologies.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Forget about fashionable foodie trends, the cuisine here remains a faithful homage to the master, perfectly reproducing his signature dishes like plump pike quenelle dumplings in a rich creamy Nantua sauce, succulent beef Rossini topped with foie gras or a tasty black truffle soup.—
John Brunton,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 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
-
Meteorologists are also warning of possible high astronomical tides that could bring the potential for minor to moderate coastal flooding along the coast Monday into Tuesday, depending on the timing of the highest surge.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
21 Feb. 2026
-
But the tides and the waves keep coming, so no fix is permanent.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Athletic Club Oakland was a haven for sports-lovers of all affinities.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The driving rock guitars and layered vocal textures recall TV on the Radio’s experimentation, and Galanin shares certain vocal and political affinities with Moses Sumney.—
Petala Ironcloud,
Pitchfork,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
When students understand what they’re supposed to do because directions are clear, that’s really helpful.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Rail traffic between Newark and Seacacus is being funneled into only one track, which is meant to withstand trains in both directions.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leanings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leanings. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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