Definition of inclinationnext
1
2
as in tilt
the act of positioning or an instance of being positioned at an angle the photographer adjusted the inclination of the sitter's head

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in slope
the degree to which something rises up from a position level with the horizon the inclination of the hill is gentle, so walking up it isn't too bad

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 inclination And yet the movie’s central storyline hints at writer-director Bassam Tariq’s inclination to subvert his own brooding-antihero saga, allowing room for unpredictability and the slightest whiff of impish irreverence. — Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026 The trustees feared that if something happened to him, his heir apparent, Robert Kahn, would replace him, and it was known that Kahn had Zionistic inclinations. — Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026 Especially with early-stage organizations, there is a natural inclination to change too quickly. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2026 Unlike Emery’s inclination for new signings to bed in, Jackson has had no period of grace. — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inclination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inclination
Noun
  • Research has also found that across generational groups, greater user tendency to engage in social comparison, together with greater maladaptive ways of coping with emotions, is associated with more symptoms of anger, anxiety, and depression.
    — Ashwini Nadkarni, Time, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Good and bad tendencies overlap and swirl — the Gators, a new property every week.
    — Noah White, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • For relative newcomer Marwan Waleed, that means tense body movements and a downcast tilt to his head, reflecting the psychological toll of having been trapped in a locked van when kidnapped in Libya.
    — Jay Weissberg, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Finally, grab 29% off the Eufy S350 4K Indoor Security Camera, providing dual-lens 4K resolution and 360-degree pan-and-tilt coverage.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 22 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Highlights include the verdant jungle at Cap Cana, the lush volcanic slopes above Saint-Pierre in Martinique, and the coral gardens off Kralendijk in Bonaire.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Caltrans has secured millions in emergency funding to fix a large crack that has developed in the slope below Pacific Coast Highway near Laguna Beach.
    — Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The Duke then entered the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, where his aptitude for foreign languages was recognized with a prize.
    — Stephanie Bridger-Linning, Vanity Fair, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Naturally, his work at Celine has now been put in conversation with hers, especially because both designers share an aptitude for creating clothes real people want to wear–and, therefore, many of the same fans.
    — Joan Kennedy, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The hiking area is extremely dangerous and known for steep inclines, loose gravel and falling rocks, according to the Italian Alpine Rescue unit, which told CNN that more than 80 people died in the Dolomites in 2026 so far.
    — Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Urevo Another advantage the unit has over an under-desk walking mat is the incline.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 20 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • For the tinkering types, Meta also released open weights for Muse’s code to help people connect it to a range of other devices.
    — Marty Swant, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Chinese clinical tools, medical devices, and enabling technologies are likely to become increasingly central, as well.
    — Ruby Wang, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Asked about music, the artist somewhat reluctantly traces his affinity back to childhood.
    — Tara Anne Dalbow, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
  • To qualify, each candidate had to demonstrate consistent binding at both laboratories, meet a specified affinity threshold, and show no detectable binding to an unrelated human protein used as a control.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Inclination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inclination. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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