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

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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

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as in tending

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

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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

The look fits with Theron’s more daring leanings, especially on this press tour. — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026 An exuberant pastiche of turn-of-the-18th century historical dress with his own New Romantic leanings, it was snapped up in its entirety by the British department store Browns. — Nicole Phelps, Vogue, 31 July 2026

Verb

Pediatric specialists say signs of overload include kids leaning forward, struggling to walk or complaining of pain, and urge families to keep bags as light as possible. — Cheyanne Mumphrey, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026 DeSantis’ mid-decade redistricting effort also shrunk the number of Democratic-leaning congressional seats in the state from eight to four, setting the stage for other heated congressional battles in South Florida in November. — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for leaning

Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaning

Adjective

There was the oblique strain in early April that sidelined him for more than a month.

— Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Other sustaining injuries were linebacker Nick Martin (stinger) and safety Marques Sigle (oblique); cornerback Nate Hobbs did not play because of a groin injury that will keep him out this preseason.

— Cam Inman, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of oblique

Noun

Amid Russia's latest barrage, at least one drone was reported as having crossed into NATO airspace in Romania, from the direction of Moldova.

— David Brennan, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Ford took one final adventure as the legendary character under the direction of James Mangold with Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

— Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of direction

Noun

Green Lantern stories can have a tendency to lean too far into the sc-fi angle, which can alienate a lot of non-hardcore fans.

— Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2026
Maynard also commends the company for its presentation of the result, in light of AI’s tendency to copy humans’ mathematical results and present them as its own ideas.

— Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of tendency

Verb

As the seasons change and the Northern Hemisphere starts tilting away from the sun, the northern latitudes lose daylight much faster than southern latitudes.

— Zoe Mintz, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026
This six-seat configuration allows drivers to keep car seats for young children undisturbed since additional passengers can access the third row without tilting the second down.

— Charles Singh, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of tilting

Verb

Parents are naming guardians for their children in case they are detained or deported, while others have stopped working, shopping or even leaving home, relying instead on neighbors and churches.

— Maria Santana, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Pallister’s process, not relying on hope as a strategy, is working.

— Peter Baugh, New York Times, 15 Aug. 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

Cite this Entry

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“Leaning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaning. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of leaning

adjective

noun

verb

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