leaning

[ lee-ning ]

noun

1. inclination; tendency:

   strong literary leanings.

   Synonyms: penchant, bias, proclivity, propensity, bent

leaning

/ ˈliːnɪŋ /

noun

1. a tendency or inclination

Word History and Origins

Origin of leaning¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English leninge, Old English hlining; lean ¹ + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

There’s a long tradition, especially in Asia, of desserts that borrow from the savory — leaning into umami, coaxing sweetness out of ingredients more often found in soups than sweets.

From Salon

“Prudent investors might consider leaning more into technology — however, this could all change with the drop of a dime, and nobody really knows how things will actually play out,” he said.

From Salon

In a movie where most would expect the romantic co-lead to turn out to be the villain, Sklenar’s hard leaning into the affable good-guy persona removes his character from the suspect list early on.

From Salon

Now Okula is leaning on the support of that online community — as well as his family and colleagues — after Hailey’s death from amniotic fluid embolism on March 29.

From Los Angeles Times

But that plan - or at least a significant part of is - is on ice after the president suspended higher tariffs on most countries for 90 days while leaning into a trade war with China.

From BBC

Related Words

• inclination
• predilection
• propensity
• sentiment