as in prefers
to show partiality toward
I'm leaning toward sausage on our pizza tonight—we got pepperoni the last three times
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leans (toward or towards)
Verb
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Warsh is a frequent Fed critic who prefers lower interest rates, yet is also a fiscal moderate who is more cautious about deploying heavy monetary strategies, USA TODAY reported.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
30 Jan. 2026 -
The film’s vintage patina doesn’t detract from rising actor Will Price’s confident performance as an immature mobster who prefers bitcoin to stacks of Benjamins.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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At first, Hayley seems to be the doting assistant, albeit one who also likes to go out and hook up and take drugs.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Willing tackler who likes to hit.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The latest 10-day outlook from the weather service’s Climate Prediction Center favors below-average temperatures and above-average precipitation throughout the first week of February.—
Newsroom Meteorologist,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Jan. 2026
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Seeing these pieces together highlights how Sherald favors stillness and clarity, especially amidst the current state of the country, and the world at large.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The city enjoys a classic Mediterranean climate, featuring long, dry summers and relatively mild, rainier winters.—
Kathleen Peddicord,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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Hart enjoys being that teammate.—
Michael Osipoff,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Leans (toward or towards).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leans%20%28toward%20or%20towards%29. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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