INCLINE Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'incline' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of incline are bias , dispose , and predispose . While all these words mean "to influence one to have or take an attitude toward something," incline implies a tendency to favor one of two or more actions or conclusions. // I incline to agree

Q: In what contexts can 'bias' take the place of 'incline'?

In some situations, the words bias and incline are roughly equivalent. However, bias suggests a settled and predictable leaning in one direction and connotes unfair prejudice. // the experience biased him against foreigners

Q: When could 'dispose' be used to replace 'incline'?

The words dispose and incline can be used in similar contexts, but dispose suggests an affecting of one's mood or temper so as to incline one toward something. // her nature disposes her to trust others

Q: When would 'predispose' be a good substitute for 'incline'?

The words predispose and incline are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, predispose implies the operation of a disposing influence well in advance of the opportunity to manifest itself. // does fictional violence predispose them to accept real violence?

incline 1 of 2

noun

ˈin-ˌklīn

Definition of incline

as in slope

the degree to which something rises up from a position level with the horizon the steep incline of the hill meant that it was impossible to ride a bicycle up it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

incline

2 of 2

verb

in-ˈklīn

as in to slope

to set or cause to be at an angle carefully inclined the ladder against the house

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to tend

to show a liking or proneness (for something) a good restaurant for diners who incline to spicy food

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word incline different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of incline are bias, dispose, and predispose. While all these words mean "to influence one to have or take an attitude toward something," incline implies a tendency to favor one of two or more actions or conclusions.

I incline to agree

In what contexts can bias take the place of incline?

In some situations, the words bias and incline are roughly equivalent. However, bias suggests a settled and predictable leaning in one direction and connotes unfair prejudice.

the experience biased him against foreigners

When could dispose be used to replace incline?

The words dispose and incline can be used in similar contexts, but dispose suggests an affecting of one's mood or temper so as to incline one toward something.

her nature disposes her to trust others

When would predispose be a good substitute for incline?

The words predispose and incline are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, predispose implies the operation of a disposing influence well in advance of the opportunity to manifest itself.

does fictional violence predispose them to accept real violence?

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of incline

Noun

Types of brakes The braking system on a golf push cart is important when playing a hilly course and will need to stop your cart on an incline. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2026 Waiting until cases are clearly on a sharp incline can mean protection will come too late. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 9 Sep. 2026

Verb

The heart monitor showed a slight irregularity, but not an emergency, and my doctor wasn’t inclined to medicate something that minor. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 24 Sep. 2026 Most of the time, I would be inclined to pump the brakes on a single-generation upgrade. — Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 21 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for incline

Recent Examples of Synonyms for incline

Noun

From shredding the slopes in the winter to floating on the water in the summer, the unofficial capital of the Sierra Nevada sees outdoorsy travelers constantly flocking to its campsites and cabins.

— Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026
The land on which Thwaites sits slopes downward, meaning as the glacier melts, more ice is exposed to warm ocean water.

— Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of slope

Verb

Technological dominance has been tilting toward Moscow of late, exposing Ukraine’s vulnerability to Russia’s relentlessly modernizing war machine.

— Gerard Toal, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026
But even those examples fall far short of the sort of figures that would tilt the scales in any outcomes.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of tilt

Verb

Higher diesel prices – essential to transporting goods and agricultural production – tend to drive up costs across the wider economy and fuel inflation.

— Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2026
That his arguments and those made by the current administration against immigrants tend in a totalitarian direction cannot be denied.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of tend

Noun

At Roberto Cavalli, makeup artist Yadim had the same inclination for highly pigmented metallic shades, a choice that punctuated key looks also at Jil Sander.

— Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
OpenAI’s closest rival, Anthropic, has shown no inclination to delay its own IPO, which is expected sometime before year’s end.

— Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of inclination

Verb

Tijerina is part of a coalition of Hispanic and Latino voters who have long leaned Democratic but have more recently shown a willingness to vote for both parties.

— Justin Papp, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
Some conservatives have argued that they've been unfairly targeted by financial institutions, although the OCC found that some banks had also refused to do business with Democratic-leaning organizations.

— Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of lean

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inclinations

incline

inclined

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“Incline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incline. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of incline

noun

verb

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