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
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 propensity
This phenomenon also deals with Claude’s propensity to behave badly when faced with conflicting goals, including its desire to avoid retraining.
—
Steven Levy, Wired News, 28 Mar. 2025
Travel experts and therapists agree that vacations have the propensity to fracture relationships, and even the deepest connections are a trip away from potential ruin.
—Aditi Shrikant, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2025
Evaluators touted his accuracy and toughness but were less bullish on his arm strength, athleticism and propensity to hold onto the ball too long.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2025
Alec, too, has received plenty of unwelcome media coverage for his propensity to get into public scuffles.
—Naomi Fry, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for propensity
Steven Levy, Wired News, 28 Mar. 2025
Travel experts and therapists agree that vacations have the propensity to fracture relationships, and even the deepest connections are a trip away from potential ruin.
—Aditi Shrikant, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2025
Evaluators touted his accuracy and toughness but were less bullish on his arm strength, athleticism and propensity to hold onto the ball too long.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2025
Alec, too, has received plenty of unwelcome media coverage for his propensity to get into public scuffles.
—Naomi Fry, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for propensity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for propensity
Noun
-
Plus, no matter who's involved, humans have a natural tendency to pay close attention to danger and threats, especially if those threats have lurked without detection for so long.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
-
Recent climate modeling results suggest that changes in annual precipitation in Florida will likely be modest, within about 10% of current average, with a tendency for wetter conditions in the northern part of the state and lesser precipitation in the south.—
Bob Maliva,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2025
Noun
-
Analysts also see an inclination among some officials to keep certain communications private, not just from spies but also from government recordkeeping.—
Anna Mulrine Grobe,
Christian Science Monitor,
8 May 2025
-
Conveniently dovetailing into some of the notions offered this weekend to Trump at Mar-a-Lago by Oscar-winner Voight and his team, Newsom’s pitch of a national tax incentive for big screen and small screen production is clearly aimed to appeal to Trump’s bigger-is-better inclinations.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
5 May 2025
Noun
-
Judging by the untended blisters on his knuckles and palms, however, Enzo doesn’t show much aptitude for it — to the extent that his supervisor drives the boy home one day to speak with his parents, surprised to discover that Enzo lives in a posh home with ocean views and a private pool.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
14 May 2025
-
Hiring focuses on ability and aptitude, in companies that are focused on growth.—
Chris Westfall,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
Noun
-
However, instead of removing the minerals from the water, these devices make the minerals soluble in the water.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Mar. 2025
-
However, these incidents underscore the importance of regularly updating your devices to stay protected against evolving threats.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Visitors with an affinity for history and local culture will find endless entertainment in downtown Beaufort, not to be confused with the South Carolina destination of the same name.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
12 May 2025
-
At 26, Mac Allister is coming into his prime years and his affinity for the club is clear.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
10 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Propensity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propensity. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share