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
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Recent Examples of leaning
Keith Cooper, Space.com, 16 Dec. 2025
Each has its own unique political history and with that its own ideological leanings.
—Averi Harper, ABC News, 10 Dec. 2025
Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026
Astoria isn’t actually the most left-leaning neighborhood in New York.
—Naaman Zhou, New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for leaning
Noun
One, which is how those of a religious leaning might see it, is as a miraculous, divine event, the archangel Gabriel shining the way towards the baby Jesus.
—Verb
Council insiders suggested Camilo’s political background could unnerve some of the chamber’s left-leaning members, especially as the body prepares to work with Mamdani, a democratic socialist.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaning
Adjective
-
For now, the pastor is keeping his politics oblique.—
-
Losing Roman Anthony to an oblique strain in early September was a massive blow, and proved the offense wasn’t deep enough.—
Noun
-
At a moment of increasing niche-ification of the news media business, Axel Springer is running in the opposite direction.—
-
Automation can go in either of these directions; that’s why the task of the left is to create social and cultural conditions in which the benign and constructive aspects of technology and automation are primary.—
Noun
-
The brewery’s ball pit is meant to be an incisive commentary on our generation’s tendency to enjoy the trappings of adulthood—such as consuming alcohol—without fully committing to the responsibilities that are supposed to come with them, such as parenthood.—
-
Trump’s economic management combines two theoretically incompatible tendencies.—
Verb
-
The robot uses a stable, wheeled base inspired by robot vacuums, paired with a tilting torso and two articulated arms.—
-
For now, that struggle appears to be tilting away from her and toward Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, particularly following Marcano Tábata’s replacement.—
Verb
-
After missing the past two games while tending to a leg injury, forward Teya Sidberry was one of nine Longhorns to play at least 16 minutes.—
-
Cue a total lockdown of the hospital as everyone tries to figure out if the guy was bluffing, all while putting out the fires (and tending to the victims) left by the explosion.—
Verb
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But those funds have since run out, and pantries are once again relying on community support to meet what has become a steady demand.—
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Users can also upload personal artwork or photos through a simple mobile website, without installing apps or relying on cloud services.—
Adjective
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Their test setup involved a ramp containing sand to simulate sloping dunes on Mars.—
Noun
-
Greenland was incorporated into Denmark in 1953, as a tide of decolonization swept the globe following World War II.—
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More than a year after it was completed, the Smith Canal Gate was closed Monday because water levels rose to 8 feet, along with some other factors, including rising king tides and precipitation, according to Darren Suen, San Joaquin Area Flood Control Agency executive director.—
Cite this Entry
“Leaning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaning. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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