leaning 1 of 3

as in oblique
running in a slanting direction the leaning tower of Pisa is a popular tourist attraction in Italy

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

leaning

2 of 3

noun

leaning

3 of 3

verb

present participle of lean

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun leaning contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of leaning are penchant, proclivity, and propensity. While all these words mean "a strong instinct or liking for something," leaning suggests a liking or attraction not strong enough to be decisive or uncontrollable.

a student with artistic leanings

When might penchant be a better fit than leaning?

In some situations, the words penchant and leaning are roughly equivalent. However, penchant implies a strongly marked taste in the person or an irresistible attraction in the object.

a penchant for taking risks

When is proclivity a more appropriate choice than leaning?

The words proclivity and leaning can be used in similar contexts, but proclivity suggests a strong natural proneness usually to something objectionable or evil.

a proclivity for violence

In what contexts can propensity take the place of leaning?

The meanings of propensity and leaning largely overlap; however, propensity implies a deeply ingrained and usually irresistible inclination.

a propensity to offer advice

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 leaning
Noun
Trump has since announced additional appointments to the board who match his political leanings, including Fox News’s Laura Ingraham and Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo. The Hill, 17 Mar. 2025 During his speech, Trump is expected to address restoring law and order, removing violent criminals from communities, and ending what the White House says is the weaponization of justice against Americans for their political leanings. Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
Voila, the best of both worlds entails leaning into generative AI and LLMs as your negotiating tutor. Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025 Casually leaning back in a chair, surrounded by other retirees in Plantation, Marc Kaye, 78, expresses the same emotions as Wilde. Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for leaning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaning
Adjective
  • With McNeil out with an oblique strain, Baty has a chance to make the Opening Day roster as a second baseman.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Matt Waldron didn’t even want to think about what a severe oblique injury would mean.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Vision also became the name of the game, since looking in the direction of the slide helped to bring our hands into the right steering angle more naturally.
    Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Luckily for the Jayhawks, the offense is trending in the right direction.
    Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 15 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • According to Limon-Rocha, various life stressors—such as starting a new school, being bullied, losing a beloved pet, or having a family member with health issues—can all trigger perfectionist tendencies.
    Sherri Gordon, Parents, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The tendency in the forecast has been for the front to set up across southeast portions of the Kansas City forecast area.
    Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The trailer for With Love, Meghan was released two weeks ahead of the show's premiere and features the Duchess performing a number of activities from tending to a beehive to arranging flowers at a shop and hosting a mix of friends and celebrity guests.
    Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 3 Jan. 2025
  • The trailer for With Love, Meghan was released two weeks ahead of the show's premiere and features the Duchess performing a number of activities from tending to a beehive to arranging flowers at a shop and hosting a mix of friends and celebrity guests.
    Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 3 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Use curiosity to guide problem-solving instead of relying on control.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025
  • Los Angeles’ offense has condensed into relying more on James, Davis and Reaves, with no better example than against Atlanta.
    Jovan Buha, The Athletic, 4 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Arroyo memorializes ordinary buildings at risk of being swept up in the tide of gentrification in Miami through his paintings, while Simmons creates with concrete, fabric, acrylic, found objects and construction debris to form architectural sculptures and mixed media works.
    Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2025
  • This rising tide has been spurred in large part by billionaires, particularly Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and, to a lesser extent, Richard Branson.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Stolarz’s inclination to shout instructions at teammates on the ice, often with serious levels of hostility in the name of competition, comes to him naturally.
    Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Tariffs are designed for a combination of reasons, including protecting domestic markets; inviting foreign investment; and becoming more effective using capabilities, inclinations, and talents in other parts of the world.
    Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • This reflects an industry trend moving beyond general-purpose models toward variants optimized for specific high-value tasks often driven by enterprise demand.
    Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • It wasn’t lost on me that 2000s references were also larger trends at Revolve Festival.
    Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 14 Apr. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Leaning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaning. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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