1
as in tendencies
a prevailing or general movement or inclination
the news media are often accused of having liberal leanings
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in inclinations
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of leanings
Ken Jennings' political leanings are no mystery.
—
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Jan. 2026
Everyone in the world does not and should not be defined by their political leanings, their race, their gender, their beliefs.
—Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2026
That declaration ultimately ended up encapsulating the vibe of a good portion of my 2025 music leanings, along with the addition of my penchant for good-old-fashioned soppy crooners, all of which contain a through line of really solid storytelling.
—Rolling Stone, 29 Dec. 2025
Given the state’s Republican leanings, whoever wins the GOP primary for Lummis’s seat is all but certainly poised to win the general election next year.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 23 Dec. 2025
Australian authorities say the suspects in the Bondi Beach shooting filmed a video manifesto that was littered with antisemitism and Islamic State leanings.
—Anders Hagstrom, FOXNews.com, 22 Dec. 2025
Each has its own unique political history and with that its own ideological leanings.
—Averi Harper, ABC News, 10 Dec. 2025
The makeup of Her’s transition team — drawn from a mix of campaign staff, former state Capitol workers and recent city and county employees — may still offer some clues as to her leanings.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 7 Dec. 2025
In 2022, photos of Sweeney at a family birthday party where guests wearing MAGA-style caps went viral, raising eyebrows and soliciting questions about her own political leanings.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 5 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leanings
Noun
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The modern world offers an endless selection of rabbit holes, into which those of us with obsessive tendencies can pour virtually unlimited amounts of time, energy and love.—
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Some past tendencies may offer a hint.—
Noun
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This time around, the cuisine will focus on Laura’s roots, offering up dishes that show off Mexico’s culinary inclinations.—
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His beliefs and artistic inclinations were protean and often contradictory.—
Noun
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Last spring, the owners closed their downtown location and consolidated at 310 SW Blue Parkway in the Pine Tree Plaza, mainly due to the timing of the downtown lease as well as industry trends, Boehm said.—
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Together, these trends have turned industrial space into a cornerstone of national logistics and digital capacity.—
Noun
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This model reflects Japan’s long-standing corporate culture, which prioritizes new hires for their general potential—their aptitudes and aspirations, as opposed to their current skill sets or university majors—and then trains them on the job.—
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More money is apt to make homeschooling worse and far less tailored to the individual student and their interests and aptitudes by encouraging parents to substitute pricey group programs for the requisite effort of individualized instruction.—
Noun
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As for makeup, the tides won’t be turning much, according to artist and brand founder Alexa Persico.—
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Life feels quieter here, shaped by tides and pine rockland forests.—
Noun
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China’s global influence is further constrained by weak cultural affinities with other countries.—
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If your affinities lean toward boutique accommodation, this darling 12-room property occupying an 1889-era school is just the ticket.—
Noun
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Just like a star, Dallas is sprawling out in different directions.—
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The rural highway was closed in both directions while the crash was investigated and the wreckage cleared.—
Cite this Entry
“Leanings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leanings. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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