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
Demetrios Matheou, HollywoodReporter, 2 July 2025
But Orellana has also drawn the attention of Alex Jones, who has posted unsubstantiated rumors about Orellana's political leanings.
—Nbc News, NBC news, 14 June 2025
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Casually leaning back in a chair, surrounded by other retirees in Plantation, Marc Kaye, 78, expresses the same emotions as Wilde.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leaning
Noun
Evita isn’t the same kind of animal, but there’s juice in the albeit contestable nature of Perón’s political leanings.
—Demetrios Matheou, HollywoodReporter, 2 July 2025
But Orellana has also drawn the attention of Alex Jones, who has posted unsubstantiated rumors about Orellana's political leanings.
—Nbc News, NBC news, 14 June 2025
Verb
Voila, the best of both worlds entails leaning into generative AI and LLMs as your negotiating tutor.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Casually leaning back in a chair, surrounded by other retirees in Plantation, Marc Kaye, 78, expresses the same emotions as Wilde.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leaning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaning
Adjective
-
Mason Jones, who missed the last game with an oblique injury, came off the bench to post 15 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals for the Kings (5-0).—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
20 July 2025
-
In his absence, the Marlins will rely primarily on Graham Pauley (who has played 23 games at third base and filled in when Norby missed time with an oblique injury earlier this season) and Javier Sanoja, who has played nine games at third this season.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
17 July 2025
Noun
-
Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard closed at Loop 101 Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard in Scottsdale was scheduled to close in both directions at Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) from 9 p.m. July 25 to 5 a.m. July 28 for a widening project, according to ADOT.—
Olivia Rose,
AZCentral.com,
26 July 2025
-
Cosmic rays bounce across the universe in all directions, meaning Earth is bombarded from all sides by trillions of them.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
25 July 2025
Noun
-
Attachment styles are simply ways to understand one’s tendencies in a relationship.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
-
Soccer’s authorities have a tendency to dismiss, or at least appear to dismiss, the women’s game.—
Julia Andersen,
CNN Money,
30 July 2025
Verb
-
The trailer for With Love, Meghan was released two weeks ahead of the show's premiere and features the Duchess performing a number of activities from tending to a beehive to arranging flowers at a shop and hosting a mix of friends and celebrity guests.—
Rebecca Aizin,
People.com,
3 Jan. 2025
-
The trailer for With Love, Meghan was released two weeks ahead of the show's premiere and features the Duchess performing a number of activities from tending to a beehive to arranging flowers at a shop and hosting a mix of friends and celebrity guests.—
Rebecca Aizin,
People.com,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Heightened by the absence of Klay Thompson’s floor-spacing, Curry has been facing kitchen-sink defenses and relying on role players to relieve the building pressure.—
Marcus Thompson II,
The Athletic,
4 Jan. 2025
-
Use curiosity to guide problem-solving instead of relying on control.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes,
4 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Trying to stop it is like ordering the tides to stop.—
Matt O'Brien,
Chicago Tribune,
23 July 2025
-
The job market is constantly shifting for Gen Z, and many of them are tired of trying to navigate the rising tides of change.—
Colleen Batchelder,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
Noun
-
Our inclination might be to freeze event planning and ride out the storm, but history shows that innovation thrives in adversity.—
Shawn Pierce,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
-
SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket arced downrange over the Atlantic Ocean, heading northeast to place its payload into the Kuiper constellation at an inclination of 51.9 degrees to the equator.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
16 July 2025
Noun
-
The motivation behind the trend is understandable—no one wants sticky detergent dripping all over their hands or laundry room.—
Kendall Bettle,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Aug. 2025
-
The study attributed the trend to a rise in sea-surface temperatures due to climate change.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
2 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Leaning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaning. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share