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.
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Recent Examples of leaning
Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
For now, his actions continue to be examined as clues to his political leanings.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
Amy Pope, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Multiple heavyweights are going to declare in Fall of 2026, so why not get a jump on them and have the Left-leaning media all to yourself?
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for leaning
Noun
Depending on one’s leanings, the ban was either a quasi-authoritarian assertion of corporate control over personal expression or a symbol of professionalism and institutional stability.
—Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
For now, his actions continue to be examined as clues to his political leanings.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
Verb
Another forward-looking approach comes from, of all places, the right-leaning government of Italy.
—Amy Pope, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Multiple heavyweights are going to declare in Fall of 2026, so why not get a jump on them and have the Left-leaning media all to yourself?
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for leaning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaning
Adjective
-
Utility man Romy Gonzalez, who suffered a minor oblique injury last week, is also expected to be ready by Opening Day.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
26 Mar. 2025
-
But Jeff McNeil’s oblique injury and Nick Madrigal’s shoulder surgery opened up two infield spots.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Focus on short-term gains instead of purpose and long-term goals so the lack of direction creates even more ambiguity.—
Csaba Toth,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
While the team has endured rough stretches this season, the Devils are trending in the right direction again.—
Shayna Goldman,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Traveling East might have been an appropriate tendency for early humans living in what is now Europe near the end of the Ice Age.—
Paul Smaglik,
Discover Magazine,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Understanding Home Bias As mentioned before, home bias is the tendency to over-invest in your home country.—
Cicely Jones,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 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
-
There are a few things that we Southerners will never abandon, no matter which way the trending tide flows.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
3 Apr. 2025
-
These pilots possess expert knowledge of the specific port’s geography, tides, currents, weather patterns, traffic, and navigational hazards.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Stolarz’s inclination to shout instructions at teammates on the ice, often with serious levels of hostility in the name of competition, comes to him naturally.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Tariffs are designed for a combination of reasons, including protecting domestic markets; inviting foreign investment; and becoming more effective using capabilities, inclinations, and talents in other parts of the world.—
Erik Sherman,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Bucking the trend But there are some bright spots in casual dining.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Like just about every other shoe trend, there’s a divide.—
Marilú Almaguer,
Glamour,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Leaning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaning. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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