sloping 1 of 2

Definition of slopingnext
as in sloped
running in a slanting direction a sloping ray of light that illuminates the painting's central figure is symbolic of heavenly inspiration

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sloping

2 of 2

verb

present participle of slope
as in tilting
to set or cause to be at an angle they sloped our new driveway too steeply and now my car scrapes bottom whenever I back out onto the street

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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 sloping
Adjective
As part of his new collection for the brand, Arnold unveiled a new shape—a slightly sloping, almost smile-like pleat that’s simultaneously nonchalant and fully sophisticated. Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 13 Feb. 2026 Their test setup involved a ramp containing sand to simulate sloping dunes on Mars. Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
The hole should have sloping sides to encourage roots to grow out wide into the surrounding soil. Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026 The quick loss of water is even more evident in areas with banks, sloping lawns, and those with lots of hardscaping like walkways. Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026 Accessibility As a rural property set across gently sloping terrain, there are uneven surfaces, steps, and small hills to navigate. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026 The Arlo bar cabinet's brass hardware is reminiscent of polished cufflinks; the Bianca chair's sloping lines take cues from Bianca Jagger's signature white pantsuit. Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 23 Apr. 2026 To recast a three-quarter-length body as a pyramid, a favorite Renaissance shape, Raphael repeatedly files down the shoulder blades and turns their supporting muscle into a long sloping line, which dives from neck to arm. Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026 Sheer cliffs rise from sloping green hills dotted with evergreens. Julia Sayers Gokhale, Midwest Living, 17 Apr. 2026 The hull also has a small tumblehome, sloping slightly inward to increase stability. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 Apr. 2026 Tenkan-sen is below the Kijun-sen, with both lines sloping downward. Karl Montevirgen, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sloping
Adjective
  • His sloped shoulders suggested bodily power that was sleepy and sly; his large head and dark, badly cut hair amplified the weight and solidity of him, but his lips were sensitive and a little slack, as if yearning for something he’d been long deprived of.
    Mary Gaitskill, New Yorker, 22 Feb. 2026
  • The sloped, landscaped half-acre lot offers a terrace and a two-car garage.
    The Week US, TheWeek, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The Osprey was the first production tiltrotor—an aircraft with propellers that can swivel on their mounts, pointing up for vertical takeoff and tilting forward for horizontal flight.
    Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Though the Kremlin-friendly Orban had held power for the past 16 years, partly by tilting the electoral system in his favor, his far-right Fidesz party lost to the center-right Tisza party of anti-corruption campaigner Peter Magyar.
    The Week US, TheWeek, 20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Just three weeks after his oblique injury, Reaves was questionable for Games 3 and 4.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Little did the Lakers know that Dončić (hamstring) and Reaves (oblique) would go down heading into the playoffs, but their backcourt backups, Smart and Kennard, had everything to do with their ability to jump out to a 3-0 series lead against Houston (3-1 after Sunday night’s loss).
    Sam Amick, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • He’s broken with some more left-leaning Democrats in supporting nuclear, natural gas, and oil development in addition to renewable energy to help drive down costs for consumers.
    Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Fresh produce such as asparagus, leeks and peas tends to steal the spotlight this time of year, and our team has certainly been leaning into vegetable-forward dishes as of late.
    Victoria Caruso, Washington Post, 26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Airships, on the other hand, emit little carbon because their vertical lift comes from lighter-than-air gases such as helium instead of burning fuel during diagonal ascent, and their propeller propulsion can be entirely electric.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Even a diagonal arrangement of your furniture and planters can make a patio feel more expansive.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Thanks to the viral success of ChatGPT, the company now has a valuation approaching $1 trillion and is angling for a stock listing.
    John Ruwitch, NPR, 27 Apr. 2026
  • And Tony nominee and Grammy winner Andrew Rannells comes aboard as Philadelphia District Attorney Andrew Chadwater, who is angling to turn one major bust into a mayoral run.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sloping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sloping. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.

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