Synonyms of penchant

penchant

noun

ˈpen-chənt 

as in tendency

a habitual attraction to some activity or thing

a penchant for sitting by the window and staring moodily off into space

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tendency
• aptitude
• inclination
• devices
• affinity
• knack
• proclivity
• affection
• predilection
• propensity
• predisposition
• impulse
• bias
• disposition
• bent
• talent
• preference
• partiality
• addiction
• genius
• leaning
• bone
• appetite
• turn
• flair
• gift
• habitude
• prejudice
• fondness
• liking
• taste
• habit
• partisanship
• favor
• endowment
• like
• forte
• fancy
• speciality
• specialty
• faculty
• eccentricity
• practice
• quirk
• idiosyncrasy
• one-sidedness
• custom
• pattern
• peculiarity
• routine
• singularity
• convention
• trick
• wont
• oddity
• way
• kink

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• aversion
• distaste
• dislike
• allergy
• disinclination
• neutrality
• disfavor
• objectivity
• detachment
• indifference
• impartiality
• disliking
• disrelish
• averseness
• nonchalance
• apathy
• unconcern
• disinterestedness
• insouciance

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun penchant contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of penchant are leaning, proclivity, and propensity. While all these words mean "a strong instinct or liking for something," penchant implies a strongly marked taste in the person or an irresistible attraction in the object.

a penchant for taking risks

When might leaning be a better fit than penchant?

The meanings of leaning and penchant largely overlap; however, leaning suggests a liking or attraction not strong enough to be decisive or uncontrollable.

a student with artistic leanings

When would proclivity be a good substitute for penchant?

The synonyms proclivity and penchant are sometimes interchangeable, but proclivity suggests a strong natural proneness usually to something objectionable or evil.

a proclivity for violence

Where would propensity be a reasonable alternative to penchant?

The words propensity and penchant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, propensity implies a deeply ingrained and usually irresistible inclination.

a propensity to offer advice

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of penchant

As for footwear, Kurt Geiger’s penchant for playfulness continues. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025

Adding to Austin's multi-faceted personality is its penchant for brewing innovative, craft beer and creating infectious gathering spots which have something for everyone. —Kathryn Streeter, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025

Flores, the league’s first Mexican-American quarterback and head coach, recalled the warmth that Carol showed the team’s players, despite her and Al’s penchant for keeping their business private. —Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2025

While at the first school my penchant for being boisterous and chatty was seen as charming, the girls at school two just viewed me as a restless chatterbox. —Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2025

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