incline 1 of 2

as in slope
the degree to which something rises up from a position level with the horizon the steep incline of the hill meant that it was impossible to ride a bicycle up it

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incline

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to slope
to set or cause to be at an angle carefully inclined the ladder against the house

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2
as in to tend
to show a liking or proneness (for something) a good restaurant for diners who incline to spicy food

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word incline different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of incline are bias, dispose, and predispose. While all these words mean "to influence one to have or take an attitude toward something," incline implies a tendency to favor one of two or more actions or conclusions.

I incline to agree

In what contexts can bias take the place of incline?

In some situations, the words bias and incline are roughly equivalent. However, bias suggests a settled and predictable leaning in one direction and connotes unfair prejudice.

the experience biased him against foreigners

When could dispose be used to replace incline?

The words dispose and incline can be used in similar contexts, but dispose suggests an affecting of one's mood or temper so as to incline one toward something.

her nature disposes her to trust others

When would predispose be a good substitute for incline?

The words predispose and incline are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, predispose implies the operation of a disposing influence well in advance of the opportunity to manifest itself.

does fictional violence predispose them to accept real violence?

Examples of incline in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Its compact size and 5% incline add a little extra challenge to her day, all while fitting seamlessly into her workspace. Laura Lajiness Kaupke, Glamour, 16 Sep. 2024 According to Thomson, a 12% incline is a good benchmark that runners should look for in a treadmill. Leigh Weingus, SELF, 10 Sep. 2024
Verb
Since then several states, individual colleges and university systems have followed suit as institutions search for ways to boost enrollments and reach students who might otherwise not be inclined to consider college. Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2024 Is this something that somebody’s going to be inclined to do? Todd Spangler, Variety, 27 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for incline 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incline
Noun
  • Full load on steep slopes almost seems to hint at a dirt bike, but surely an 890cc V-twin in the slippery stuff would simply become unmanageable.
    Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
  • Aspen’s swath of five-star resorts, boutique hotels, and world-famous ski and snowboarding slopes make for a winter wonderland that keeps giving even after the holidays (and well into spring).
    Will Porter, Architectural Digest, 31 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Gently shift your weight to the right side, keeping your hips steady and without tilting your body.
    Leoni Jesner, Health, 4 Nov. 2024
  • Additionally, the market will tilt further in favor of hospitals and against competing physician practices, accelerating hospital-physician consolidation and resulting in fewer choices, higher prices, and more medical debt.
    Ge Bai, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Unlike other ray species, round rays tend to stay hidden in the sand, relying on their natural camouflage to avoid predators — human included.
    Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
  • The alternative is to use what are called ABS plastics, but these tend to be shiny and generate cheap-sounding resonances.
    Jason Barlow, WIRED, 2 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Although the natural inclination is to think of a marathon as something done on foot, or by people who are known as ambulatory, the NYC Marathon does have a program for the race that’s inclusive of wheelchair users.
    Steven Aquino, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
  • Smullen’s inclinations here reek of resentment rather than a healthier competitiveness that would drive him to bring a solid case against his main suspect.
    Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Will the country lean toward inclusion, or will the push for deportation lead to a compromise its foundational ideals?
    Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
  • My husband is a huge soccer fan and this feels like a fashion-y way to lean into that.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 1 Nov. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Incline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incline. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.

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