incline

1 of 2

verb

in·​cline in-ˈklīn 

inclined; inclining

intransitive verb

1

: to bend the head or body forward : bow

2

: to lean, tend, or become drawn toward an opinion or course of conduct

3

: to deviate from a line, direction, or course

specifically : to deviate from the vertical or horizontal

transitive verb

1

: to cause to stoop or bow : bend

2

: to have influence on : persuade

his love of books inclined him toward a literary career

3

: to give a bend or slant to

incliner noun

incline

2 of 2

noun

in·​cline ˈin-ˌklīn 

: an inclined plane : grade, slope

Synonyms

Verb

• angle
• cant
• cock
• heel
• lean
• list
• pitch
• slant
• slope
• tilt
• tip

Noun

• cant
• diagonal
• grade
• gradient
• inclination
• lean
• pitch
• rake
• slant
• slope
• upgrade

Choose the Right Synonym for incline

incline, bias, dispose, predispose 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

bias suggests a settled and predictable leaning in one direction and connotes unfair prejudice.

the experience biased him against foreigners

dispose suggests an affecting of one's mood or temper so as to incline one toward something.

her nature disposes her to trust others

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

Verb

She listened with her eyes closed and her head inclined.

The road inclines at an angle of about 12 degrees.

His love of books inclined him toward a literary career.

Noun

We drove up a steep incline to the summit.

You can adjust the incline of the ramp.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

While Trump voters may have been inclined to rate all of Trump's nominees positively, Harris voters appear to have done the opposite. —Nathaniel Rakich, ABC News, 5 Dec. 2024

Today, not all U.S. leaders would draw back Washington’s commitment to Europe as quickly—or speak of the alliance with as harsh a tone—as Trump may be inclined to do. —Norbert Röttgen, Foreign Affairs, 22 Nov. 2024

Noun

That then increased to 76 percent by 2010, before showing a steady incline to 96 percent in the year 2024. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2024

Switching up the incline between 0 and 1 percent every half-mile, or throwing in a few quick one-minute faster surges every once in a while can help break up the monotony without amping up the intensity too much. —Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French incliner, encliner, from Latin inclinare, from in- + clinare to lean — more at lean

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1798, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

incline

1 of 2 verb

in·​cline in-ˈklīn 

inclined; inclining

1

: to bend the head or body forward : bow

2

: to be drawn to an opinion or course of action

inclined to go swimming

3

: to turn or move from a line, direction, or course : lean, slope

4

: to cause to bend, bow, or slant

5

: to have influence on : persuade

my teacher's example inclined me to become a teacher too

inclinable

in-ˈklī-nə-bəl

adjective

incline

2 of 2 noun

in·​cline ˈin-ˌklīn 

: slope entry 3 sense 2