gravitate

[ grav-i-teyt ]

verb (used without object)

, grav·i·tat·ed, grav·i·tat·ing.

1. to move or tend to move under the influence of gravitational force.
2. to tend toward the lowest level; sink; fall.
3. to have a natural tendency or be strongly attracted (usually followed by to or toward ):

   Musicians gravitate toward one another.

   Synonyms: move, lean, tend, incline

gravitate

/ ˈɡrævɪˌteɪt /

verb

1. physics to move under the influence of gravity
2. usually foll byto or towards to be influenced or drawn, as by strong impulses
3. to sink or settle

Derived Forms

• ˈgraviˌtater, noun

Other Words From

• gravi·tater noun
• super·gravi·tate verb (used without object) supergravitated supergravitating
• un·gravi·tating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gravitate¹

First recorded in 1635–45; from New Latin gravitātus (past participle of gravitāre “to obey the laws of gravitation,” coined by Sir Isaac Newton ); gravity, -ate ¹

Example Sentences

“But some abusers gravitate to places where they know they will have an opportunity to have contact with children - places like churches, sports organisations and schools.”

From BBC

Moenoa expected, with his size and athleticism, that the seventh grader would gravitate to defense.

From Los Angeles Times

Tanton gravitated to science — not to the fundamentalist Evangelical United Brethren Church of his mother — and eventually studied medicine.

From Salon

When I’m styling, I love when I’m able to bring something from here and mix it in with all the fabulous designer clothes, and my clients gravitate to my piece.

From Los Angeles Times

Latino voters are gravitating toward former President Trump, or are they?

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• drift
• incline
• lean
• tend