LEAN (TOWARD OR TOWARDS) Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

lean (toward or towards)

verb

Definition of lean (toward or towards)

as in to like

to show partiality toward I'm leaning toward sausage on our pizza tonight—we got pepperoni the last three times

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lean (toward or towards)

Verb

Vance went on to speak highly of Thune, who is widely liked by his fellow Republican lawmakers in the Senate.

— Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 3 Sep. 2026
That Ballmer’s fellow owners like and respect him, though, did not keep them from wanting the Clippers to be punished, and severely, if the accusations proved true.

— David Aldridge, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of like

Verb

But lawmakers of both parties are eager to avoid another impasse and would prefer to get back to their districts to campaign before the election.

— Bart Jansen, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
The Angels also would prefer not to replace Soriano from a blossoming corps of young arms.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of prefer

Verb

Although Edouard is not forecast to become a hurricane, the hurricane center has warned coastal residents to closely monitor the forecast as the storm is in an area of warmer than normal water and low wind shear, which favor strengthening.

— Doyle Rice, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Dorit Reiss, a professor at the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco, who studies cases involving vaccine disputes, told me that judges sometimes favor the pro-vaccine parent, but not always.

— Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of favor

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.

Browse Nearby Words

lean-tos

lean (toward or towards)

leap

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“Lean (toward or towards).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lean%20%28toward%20or%20towards%29. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of lean (toward or towards)

verb

Example Sentences

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