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
Over the years, the controversial Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright has drawn ire for both his political leanings and the content of his work, both on stage and screen. Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 8 May 2025 Political leanings of the organizations don’t affect how employees are treated. Margot MacHol Bisnow, Forbes.com, 6 May 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
  • Manaea was initially shut down in February with the right oblique strain, then suffered a setback in early April when inflammation in the muscle required a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 26 May 2025
  • The 28-year-old right-hander is returning from an oblique strain that removed him from the starting competition in spring training.
    Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2025
Noun
  • This would entail Lopez heading to the English capital and Christopher Nkunku travelling in the opposite direction to its Catalan counterpart.
    Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
  • His regular-season numbers are astonishing, but so are his postseason stats… in the opposite direction.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 7 June 2025
Noun
  • The heavy stacks of cash fit into a pattern emerging throughout the trial as prosecutors attempt to paint Combs as a man spoiled by success, able to hide a tendency for abuse and criminality through a large staff and an ever-larger fortune.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 4 June 2025
  • That’s the tendency, when arriving at such milestones — to celebrate the past, and the distance traveled.
    Andy Meek, Forbes.com, 4 June 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
  • Heightened by the absence of Klay Thompson’s floor-spacing, Curry has been facing kitchen-sink defenses and relying on role players to relieve the building pressure.
    Marcus Thompson II, The Athletic, 4 Jan. 2025
  • Use curiosity to guide problem-solving instead of relying on control.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Espinosa, who only assumed leadership of the Japanese automaker in April, faces an uphill battle to change the tide of Nissan's whittled down fortunes.
    Ruxandra Iordache,Sam Meredith, CNBC, 4 June 2025
  • But now, the sight of American airplanes over Manila signaled a shift in the tide of war.
    Jeff Langholz, Sun Sentinel, 25 May 2025
Noun
  • Additionally, the Bank of Japan’s inclination to tighten its monetary policy, which collides with the Asian nation’s fiscal woes, also have a hand in fueling the bond sell-off, said Varathan.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 22 May 2025
  • But state officials have shown no inclination toward making alterations. California earlier this month joined a multi-state lawsuit challenging the Federal Highway Administration and the Trump administration from withholding billions of dollars to expand electric vehicle infrastructure.
    Rob Nikolewski, Mercury News, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • The trend was previously styled by Venus Williams during Milan Fashion Week in February and Camila Cabello during Paris Fashion Week in March.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 3 June 2025
  • The treatment involves microneedling the skin on a person’s face with the salmon sperm (which can be injected with hyaluronic acid according to Dr. Gabriel Chiu who spoke with Variety in September 2024 about the trend).
    Catherine Santino, People.com, 3 June 2025

Cite this Entry

“Leaning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaning. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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