inclinations

noun

plural of inclination
1
as in tendencies
a habitual attraction to some activity or thing her natural inclination to help people in need

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tilts
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 inclines
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 inclinations Putin will eventually leave office, whether by death, illness, or—against all observable inclinations—stepping aside. — Julian G. Waller, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026 People with gene variants that affect these inclinations may also be at a higher risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes, researchers found. — Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 28 July 2026 Half the tracks skate along atop grooves informed by house and UK garage, reflecting Hebden’s clubbiest inclinations as well as his idiosyncratic sound design. — Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 18 July 2026 The solution Ciufolini proposed decades ago while working with physicist John Archibald Wheeler was to use two satellites in supplementary orbits, meaning with orbital inclinations that sum to 180 degrees. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2026 Getty Choosing a college major has always been a big life decision, influenced by not only personal inclinations and talents, but also by starting salaries. — Courtney Connley-Hampton, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 There were inclinations to not fully believe in their capabilities against Argentina. — Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 4 June 2026 Born to a humble family in the twilight years of the shogunate, Higuchi Natsuko (as she was born) was the fourth child and second daughter of a man with scholarly inclinations, who as a farmer had come to the capital to seek both fortune and rank. — Literary Hub, 28 May 2026 Who knew that such daring would lead to a film that avoids these inclinations entirely, especially one that could have so easily leaned into controversial territory? — David Opie, IndieWire, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inclinations
  1. tendencies
  2. tilts
  3. inclines
  4. aptitudes
  5. tips
  6. slopes
  7. affinities
  8. bends
Noun
  • Catholics have frequently exemplified the best and worst tendencies of American society.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The group will have paramount responsibility in a UCLA offense set to feature optionality and run-pass-option tendencies.
    — Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of tendencies
Noun
  • In ’94 and ’95 with the Vikings, Moon had averaged seven tilts per season of at least 275 passing yards.
    — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 1 June 2026
  • One which changes profoundly with the tilts and turn of the planet, yet its essence holds true.
    — Nick Scott, Robb Report, 17 May 2026
Definition of tilts
Noun
  • Cows amble in the distance along the inclines of meadows; their grazing helps control invasive plants.
    — Kalpana Mohan, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Bert McCarty, a Clemson University professor of turfgrass science and management, said golfers like how top courses are so different — from incorporating the ocean in places near beaches to relying on inclines in the mountains.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of inclines
Noun
  • For this class, the premise is that your purpose in life lies to the intersection of your values, your aptitudes and your interests.
    — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 6 May 2026
  • This model reflects Japan’s long-standing corporate culture, which prioritizes new hires for their general potential—their aptitudes and aspirations, as opposed to their current skill sets or university majors—and then trains them on the job.
    — GRACIA LIU-FARRER, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2025
Definition of aptitudes
Noun
  • Read More TopicsVenice Film Festival Get the latest fashion stories, style, and tips, handpicked for you, everyday.
    — Radhika Seth, Vogue, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Aura designs, colorful gems, metallic accents, and creative French tips can make just as much of a statement on shorter lengths.
    — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of tips
Noun
  • Off the slopes, Woolly’s Adventure Summit is a year-round, family-friendly base camp with thrilling activities such as a mountain coaster, zip lining, and tubing.
    — Sharael Kolberg, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2026
  • That's enough to loosen steep slopes where some of the 210,000 islanders live off the grid in improvised housing.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of slopes
Noun
  • The dragons are identical to those seen on screen and each possess unique passive Habit abilities, troop affinities and powerful synergies.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026
  • This week, Margot Robbie, Jennifer Lawrence, and Kristen Stewart all planted a flag, making their personal jorts affinities known.
    — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of affinities
Noun
  • To be fair, the larger creative arc of Hollywood bends towards unoriginality — just look no further than the sequel-laden film release calendars.
    — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s signature boho bends were another defining example of Surf Spray’s cool-girl appeal.
    — Lauren Valenti, InStyle, 31 July 2026
Definition of bends

Browse Nearby Words

inclination
inclinations
incline
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inclinations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inclinations. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on inclinations

Nglish: Translation of inclinations for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of tilde

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All