1
as in tendency
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 inclination
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
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Recent Examples of propensity
This propensity for mental acrobatics, alongside his immense arrogance, was how Epstein rationalized his crimes to himself.
—
Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 25 Oct. 2025
Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter is among those coaches expected to get real consideration in next year's head-coaching cycle, and his propensity for confusing young QBs is well known across the NFL.
—Max Dible, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Skye herself has almost no distinguishing characteristics besides her fragile state and propensity for terrible decisions, especially as the investigation around her boyfriend’s death kicks into gear.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
Now, researchers have identified specific regions of the human genome connected to cannabis use, which means the propensity to get addicted to weed may be encoded in DNA.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for propensity
Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 25 Oct. 2025
Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter is among those coaches expected to get real consideration in next year's head-coaching cycle, and his propensity for confusing young QBs is well known across the NFL.
—Max Dible, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Skye herself has almost no distinguishing characteristics besides her fragile state and propensity for terrible decisions, especially as the investigation around her boyfriend’s death kicks into gear.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
Now, researchers have identified specific regions of the human genome connected to cannabis use, which means the propensity to get addicted to weed may be encoded in DNA.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for propensity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for propensity
Noun
-
The brewery’s ball pit is meant to be an incisive commentary on our generation’s tendency to enjoy the trappings of adulthood—such as consuming alcohol—without fully committing to the responsibilities that are supposed to come with them, such as parenthood.—
Eddie Small,
New Yorker,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Trump’s economic management combines two theoretically incompatible tendencies.—
Gilad Edelman,
The Atlantic,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The inclination to avoid that threshold already impacted Denver’s decision not to sign a rookie contract extension with Peyton Watson last month.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
7 Nov. 2025
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Lin—whose early career at Zappos and mathematical inclinations molded him into an early backer of companies like Airbnb and DoorDash—has been at Sequoia since 2010.—
Allie Garfinkle,
Fortune,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Both Max’s debut LP, Heaven & Hell, and her sophomore album, Diamonds and Dancefloors, were pushed back for release because of leaks, and Max has addressed her music’s proneness to making its way online before release in the past.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
This aptitude for song and dance, combined with some friend-of-a-friend magic, was enough to get Taylor an audience with two people who would change her life.—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Nov. 2025
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Mount’s defensive aptitude proved important in keeping United compact throughout, regularly dropping into vacant spaces to slow down any nascent attacks.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Samsung says the sensor targets users who want professional-grade imaging from mobile devices.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
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Speaking to gadgets is often faster than typing, but Amazon and Nirva also see their devices as another means to gather data that can provide insights about a user’s life, though doing so will surely raise privacy concerns.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Democrats’ affinity for wolves increased, as did Republicans’ aversion.—
Justin Angle,
The Conversation,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Order Fresh Seafood from a Three-Generation Operation The town’s affinity for generational ownership goes beyond just the Greek population.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
4 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Propensity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propensity. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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