LEANING Synonyms: 171 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

leaning 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of leaning

as in oblique

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

leaning

2 of 3

noun

ˈlē-niŋ

as in direction

a prevailing or general movement or inclination the news media are often accused of having liberal leanings

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in tendency

a habitual attraction to some activity or thing despite what his athletic leanings might suggest, he was actually a very lazy kid

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

leaning

3 of 3

verb

present participle of lean

as in tilting

to set or cause to be at an angle just lean the ladder against the tree and climb up it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in tending

to show a liking or proneness (for something) the family's diet leans toward greasy food

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in relying

to place reliance or trust you can always lean on me if you need help

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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

Supporters of the plan, led by the Swiss People's Party, which includes members with pro-Russia leanings, argued that the government had gravitated too close to the European Union and NATO, particularly over Russia's war in Ukraine. — Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2026 But, Barrera and Shaw, who registered the highest vote percentages in a crowded primary, have polar opposite political leanings and very different priorities for the state schools role. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Verb

The early numbers offer more encouraging signs for Democrats than Republicans, particularly in metro Atlanta and other left-leaning parts of the state. — Charles Minshew, AJC.com, 20 Oct. 2026 Before Daly, scientists had been leaning toward theories that involved Earth's rapid spin billions of years ago, when each day may have at one time lasted as little as 2 or 3 hours. — Micah Hanks, Space.com, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for leaning

Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaning

Adjective

Rookie Cameron Carr is out and day-to-day because of a right oblique strain.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
The Lakers were without new guard Collin Sexton (calf) and first-round pick Cameron Carr (oblique), and swingman Jake LaRavia left the court limping in the fourth quarter.

— CBS News, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of oblique

Noun

Rodney also framed the trend as a backlash against the past decade’s grind and her own generation’s infamous tendency to work themselves to the bone.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
Shultz claims Holmes spotted Balwani’s abusive tendencies and clocked him as the perfect fall guy if things went south.

— Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of tendency

Verb

Technological dominance has been tilting toward Moscow of late, exposing Ukraine’s vulnerability to Russia’s relentlessly modernizing war machine.

— Gerard Toal, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026
Hollywood’s center of gravity is increasingly tilting to the East Coast.

— Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of tilting

Verb

McCollum spent summers working cattle, branding steers and tending to his grandfather's ranch alongside his cousins.

— Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Recent history, the Acton strategists noted, has shown GOP voters tending to migrate back to the party in the final days before an election.

— Teo Armus, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of tending

Verb

The approach could help researchers explore how separate computing systems share insights without relying on a single central processing location.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
Over the years, investors and analysts alike have accused Salesforce of relying too heavily on acquisitions to fuel growth, often at the expense of current shareholders.

— Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of relying

Adjective

Gates open to a sloping, 700-foot-long driveway that passes by whimsical sculptures before arriving at a spacious cobblestone motor court.

— Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 3 Aug. 2026
There was a casual feel in Memorial Auditorium in the hour before game time, as children kicked a ball around on the auditorium’s sloping floor.

— Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of sloping

Noun

Moderate flooding is possible on low-lying roads and in back bay communities, particularly where water doesn't fully drain between tides.

— Grant Gilmore, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Southern California’s fragile coastline is being transformed one storm at a time by record-setting king tides and storm surges.

— David Hickey, NBC news, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of tide

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“Leaning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaning. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of leaning

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noun

verb

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