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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Grill, baby, grill This pitmaster (who probably owns a reliable Weber) prefers traditional grilling techniques and flavors with the classic (and signature) grill marks stamped on all his creations.—
Catharine Kaufman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026 -
Usually, life prefers to use the lighter form.—
Gideon Yoffe,
The Conversation,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Whether your dad travels often or just likes to listen to music in his own world, these wireless headphones make for a terrific Father’s Day gift.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2026
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After wrapping cucumbers, Trimble likes to store them in a produce keeper placed in her refrigerator's crisper drawer.—
Susan Hall Mahon,
Southern Living,
8 June 2026
Verb
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Instead, BlackRock favors emerging-market hard-currency debt, particularly countries with strong exposure to commodities.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
9 June 2026
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The company avoids grand claims of dominance, focusing instead on building trust with a clean, practical experience that favors clarity over spectacle.—
Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone,
Miami Herald,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Jake, who previously interned at amNewYork, enjoys telling sports stories with a human-interest element and incorporating video within his coverage.—
Molly Fellin Spence,
Baltimore Sun,
29 May 2026
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Nobody enjoys being randomly summoned into your post about the Top 37 Visionary Thought Leaders Changing Synergy in Healthcare.—
William Arruda,
Forbes.com,
28 May 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 12 Jun. 2026.
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