leaning

American  

[lee-ning] / ˈli nɪŋ /

noun

1. inclination; tendency.

   strong literary leanings.

   Synonyms:

   penchant, bias, proclivity, propensity, bent

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leaning British  

/ ˈliːnɪŋ /

noun

1. a tendency or inclination

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Etymology

Origin of leaning

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

Example Sentences

"I still have this picture before my eyes: a person leaning on a tree, with ski poles next to him, listening to the radio somehow nestled on their chest," she recalls.

From BBC

Best known as one-half of reality TV’s most polarizing couple on “The Hills,” Pratt built a reputation as a needling instigator, often leaning into the role of villain with annoying enthusiasm.

From Los Angeles Times

Despite the elevated risks, Western companies have spent years developing megaprojects in the Gulf and are leaning on them for growth, making it difficult or expensive to change course.

From The Wall Street Journal

According to the Finimize survey, retail investors have been leaning more and more into ETFs as of late.

From MarketWatch

While leaning on the fossil fuel will raise emissions in the near term, the energy crisis is demonstrating the risks of energy import dependence, and could push policymakers to embrace renewables faster, analysts told AFP.

From Barron's

Related Words

• inclination
• predilection
• propensity
• sentiment