as in oblique
running in a slanting direction
the leaning tower of Pisa is a popular tourist attraction in Italy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in direction
a prevailing or general movement or inclination
the news media are often accused of having liberal leanings
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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
2
as in tending
to show a liking or proneness (for something)
the family's diet leans toward greasy food
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in relying
to place reliance or trust
you can always lean on me if you need help
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 leaning
Paxton Honerkamp,
CNBC,
21 June 2026
At a press conference, Talarico said no matter a person’s political leaning, anyone can agree that child molesters must be brought to justice.
—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 June 2026
Austin Horn
june 30,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2026
This year, Michaels has been leaning into the analog lifestyle trend.
—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for leaning
Noun
In recent years, even states that have skewed more conservative in their political leanings, such as Missouri, Nebraska, and Florida, have voted overwhelmingly to increase their minimum wage to $15 an hour.
—
Paxton Honerkamp,
CNBC,
21 June 2026
At a press conference, Talarico said no matter a person’s political leaning, anyone can agree that child molesters must be brought to justice.
—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 June 2026
Verb
Obtained by the Miami Herald, the document lays out Epstein’s early vision of leveraging South Florida’s economic and cultural power — and leaning into conservative politics — to position FIU for success.
—
Austin Horn
june 30,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2026
This year, Michaels has been leaning into the analog lifestyle trend.
—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for leaning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaning
Adjective
-
Infielder Nick Sogard, who had been called up in Story’s place, hit the IL with a right oblique strain June 3, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa went to the IL with a forearm bone stress reaction similar to Mayer’s on June 20.
-
Mayfield, who turned 31 in April, appeared on the Bucs’ injury report 10 out of 18 weeks with issues that spanned his foot, toe, knee, right biceps, oblique and right shoulder.
Noun
-
Follow the specific directions from your doctor and the exact type of medicine, first and foremost.
-
The 2026 Honor Marching Band and Color Guard, under the direction of Boise State professor Phil Hartman, filled the air with festive tunes in celebration of America’s 250th birthday.
Noun
-
These deciduous trees are invasive in many areas because of their aggressive roots that spread wide and far, and their tendency to take over native plants.
-
This is largely because about half of autistic children have a tendency to wander away from safe environments.
Verb
-
Celebrity CEOs in the feed What’s changed over the past few years is that the format of executive communications is tilting toward social‑native content.
-
Since summer’s first day on June 21, the days have been growing shorter as the Northern Hemisphere slowly starts tilting toward autumn.
Verb
-
To succeed, the strategic goal for the C-suite must be to stop tending to infrastructure and start focusing on the applications that drive real business outcomes.
-
As long as the idea remains that property gets its purpose from those tending it, working it, nourishing it and dying on it, the film will never become a relic.
Verb
-
The physical configuration achieves passive safety operational profiles by relying on subcritical physics variables and inherent material limitations.
-
Data centers have begun looking for other ways to provide power to their facilities instead of relying on power grids.
Adjective
-
Watch for soft spots on floors, uneven or sloping flooring, cracks in walls and warped materials.
-
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.
Noun
-
Over decades, the tides shift surrounding sand while marine life, like algae, grows over the device, camouflaging it into the natural ocean environment.
-
Season after season, year after year, the tides have come in and out of New York Harbor long before the name New York had ever been spoken; Lenape dugouts crossed these currents.
Cite this Entry
“Leaning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaning. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
