gravitate

American  

[grav-i-teyt] / ˈgræv ɪˌteɪt /

verb (used without object)

gravitated, gravitating

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 ortoward ).

   Musicians gravitate toward one another.

   Synonyms:

   move, lean, tend, incline

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gravitate British  

/ ˈɡrævɪˌteɪt /

verb

1. physics to move under the influence of gravity

2. to be influenced or drawn, as by strong impulses

3. to sink or settle

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Other Word Forms

• gravitater noun
• supergravitate verb (used without object)
• ungravitating adjective

Etymology

Origin of gravitate

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

While some members gravitate toward the album’s first track, “Body to Body,” which includes snippets of the traditional Korean folk song “Arirang” in it,” the more romantic “Swim” is pushed forward.

From Salon

And he said more pet-related spending was likely to take place online, as shoppers gravitate toward automatic purchases to restock their supplies.

From MarketWatch

You gravitated to music early in life, becoming a rapper before you did stand-up.

From Los Angeles Times

CBS News has been dealing with a decline in revenue for its TV programs, as viewers have gravitated toward streaming platforms and social media.

From Los Angeles Times

“The best players in college basketball now just gravitate up to the power-conference level.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• drift
• incline
• lean
• tend