leaning

noun

lean·​ing ˈlē-niŋ 

: a definite but not decisive attraction or tendency

—often used in plural

radical leanings

Synonyms

• current
• direction
• drift
• run
• tendency
• tide
• trend
• wind

Choose the Right Synonym for leaning

leaning, propensity, proclivity, penchant mean a strong instinct or liking for something.

leaning suggests a liking or attraction not strong enough to be decisive or uncontrollable.

a student with artistic leanings

propensity implies a deeply ingrained and usually irresistible inclination.

a propensity to offer advice

proclivity suggests a strong natural proneness usually to something objectionable or evil.

a proclivity for violence

penchant implies a strongly marked taste in the person or an irresistible attraction in the object.

a penchant for taking risks

Examples of leaning in a Sentence

the news media are often accused of having liberal leanings

despite what his athletic leanings might suggest, he was actually a very lazy kid

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s enough perverse, sometimes grimly funny particularity to their characterizations to complicate the allegorical leanings of the film’s script, written by the director with an anonymous collaborator, which etches micro-portraits of gaping human sadness in a larger panorama of mass tragedy. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 12 Dec. 2024

One wishes that the brothers were given more screen time to wrestle with how their respective political leanings challenge and change their relationship. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Dec. 2024

Strategic Filters Adam Garcia, an HR strategist and founder of The Stock Dork, specializes in uncovering how factors like political leanings influence CEO hiring, shaping leadership alignment and business strategy. —Edward Segal, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024

Republicans and deregulation are almost always inseparable, so another Donald Trump presidency could give rise to those leanings. —Alena Botros, Fortune, 20 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

leaning

noun

lean·​ing

ˈlē-niŋ

: tendency sense 2, inclination