propensities

noun

plural of propensity
1
as in tendencies
an established pattern of behavior the criminal propensities of the family extended over several generations

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in inclinations
a habitual attraction to some activity or thing a neighbor who has an unfortunate propensity for snooping

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of propensities Here was a way to fix inside digital resin some of her habits and propensities, through the words of three of her daughters. — Eythana Miller, The Dial, 23 June 2026 When creating their own version of the character, the developers at IOI sought to emphasize that insubordination as a gameplay tool, grounding it in this Bond’s age-specific propensities. — Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for propensities
  1. tendencies
  2. inclinations
  3. ways
  4. aptitudes
  5. affinities
Noun
  • Many of Vernon’s songs, rooted in personal sadness, indeed appeal to listeners with those tendencies.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 28 July 2026
  • Some of the hallmark characteristics of autism are the tendencies to avoid looking at other’s faces and making less eye contact.
    — Isabella Backman, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026
Definition of tendencies
Noun
  • People with gene variants that affect these inclinations may also be at a higher risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes, researchers found.
    — Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 28 July 2026
  • Half the tracks skate along atop grooves informed by house and UK garage, reflecting Hebden’s clubbiest inclinations as well as his idiosyncratic sound design.
    — Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 18 July 2026
Definition of inclinations
Noun
  • Many schools don’t devote nearly enough time to letting kids play, which is one of the key ways primary school-age children learn.
    — Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Without further ado, here's six ways to style loafers and mom-jeans through fall 2026 without letting go of all your favorite summer trends and hero pieces.
    — Michel Mejía, Glamour, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of ways
Noun
  • For this class, the premise is that your purpose in life lies to the intersection of your values, your aptitudes and your interests.
    — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 6 May 2026
  • 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
Definition of aptitudes
Noun
  • Knowing their days of bloodline privilege are numbered, the German and the French aristocrat bond, their class affinities binding them more tightly than the uniforms that separate them.
    — Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 18 July 2026
  • In her memoir, Andrews mentions that her children briefly attended UCLA Lab School and that Joanna had affinities for horseback riding and reading.
    — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 23 June 2026
Definition of affinities

Browse Nearby Words

propels
propensities
propensity
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Propensities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propensities. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on propensities

Nglish: Translation of propensities for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All