leaning 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of leaningnext
as in oblique
running in a slanting direction the leaning tower of Pisa is a popular tourist attraction in Italy

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leaning

2 of 3

noun

ˈlē-niŋ How to pronounce leaning (audio)
1
as in direction
a prevailing or general movement or inclination the news media are often accused of having liberal leanings

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2
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
1
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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2
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
3
as in relying
to place reliance or trust you can always lean on me if you need help

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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
Two Republicans currently lead the governor's race in recent polls, despite the state's liberal leanings, as a large number of Democrats led by Swalwell split the vote. —Perry Stein The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 29 Mar. 2026 The London-via-Paris jazz artist embraces her neo-soul leanings and experimental impulses on an EP that explores the pleasures and perils of gassing yourself up. —Lily Goldberg, Pitchfork, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
That included communities in conservative-leaning states like Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, South Dakota and Louisiana, as well in competitive suburban areas of Pennsylvania, Georgia and Arizona. —CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026 That included communities in conservative-leaning states like Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, South Dakota and Louisiana, as well in electorally competitive suburbs in Pennsylvania, Georgia and Arizona. —Mark Vancleave, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for leaning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaning
  1. oblique
  2. direction
  3. tendency
  4. tilting
  5. tending
  6. relying
  7. sloping
  8. tide
Adjective
  • Rookie Owen Caissie, a late addition to the starting lineup after original first baseman Christopher Morel was scratched with a left oblique strain, then drove in Edwards with a double to left-center.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Lowe missed much of spring training because of oblique tightness on his left side.
    — Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026
Definition of oblique
Noun
  • Smoke could be seen rising from the direction of a major UAE energy installation on March 14, in what appeared to be the latest strike targeting the Gulf’s petroleum facilities hours after the US struck Iran’s Kharg Island.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
  • While the morning invites a slower pace and simple pleasures, the Moon opposing chatty Mercury later can pull feelings and words in different directions.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of direction
Noun
  • When an investigation like Nancy Guthrie’s passes the two-month mark, there’s a tendency to look back and reexamine all assumptions and decisions made in the first few moments.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 3 Apr. 2026
  • New cultivars of Pyrus calleryana were bred to reduce Bradford’s tendency to split in snow or high winds.
    — Campbell Vaughn, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of tendency
Verb
  • Well, for starters, in environments where space is constrained, such as industrial sites, dense urban areas, or indoor facilities, the ability to move laterally without tilting greatly reduces collision risk.
    — Etiido Uko March 30, New Atlas, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Fossil fuel political donations and lobbying have resulted in rich subsidies, making their products artificially cheap and tilting the competitive playing field to their advantage versus renewable energy.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Definition of tilting
Verb
  • The film is set in a mountain village where an elderly woman named Hettie (Hettie Farmer) lives alone on a small farm, tending her flock of goats with increasing difficulty.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Nevertheless, the film shines with atmospheric nuances and Ringwald’s away-from-school life (working in a record store, tending her dad) taps into common teen-age problems.
    — Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of tending
Verb
  • Critics had pointed to it as an example of the apparent risks of relying on Chinese financing to build out infrastructure projects, though the extent of this being an issue is hotly debated among experts.
    — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Instead of relying on a tired dobby border to maintain the towels’ shape, Frette instead opted for a tonal band of piping that goes all the way around the rounded bath staples.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of relying
Adjective
  • As part of his new collection for the brand, Arnold unveiled a new shape—a slightly sloping, almost smile-like pleat that’s simultaneously nonchalant and fully sophisticated.
    — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Their test setup involved a ramp containing sand to simulate sloping dunes on Mars.
    — Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2025
Definition of sloping
Noun
  • Following the Ukraine invasion, the Conservatives started to turn the military spending tide around.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Typically, people are advised to stay out of the water for 48 to 72 hours after the last rainfall so the water can be flushed by the tides.
    — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of tide

Browse Nearby Words

leaned (toward or towards)
leaning
leaning (on or against)
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Cite this Entry

“Leaning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaning. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on leaning

Nglish: Translation of leaning for Spanish Speakers

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