PENCHANT Synonyms: 77 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'penchant' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of penchant are leaning , proclivity , and propensity . While all these words mean "a strong instinct or liking for something," penchant implies a strongly marked taste in the person or an irresistible attraction in the object. // a penchant for taking risks

Q: When might 'leaning' be a better fit than 'penchant'?

The meanings of leaning and penchant largely overlap; however, leaning suggests a liking or attraction not strong enough to be decisive or uncontrollable. // a student with artistic leanings

Q: When would 'proclivity' be a good substitute for 'penchant'?

The synonyms proclivity and penchant are sometimes interchangeable, but proclivity suggests a strong natural proneness usually to something objectionable or evil. // a proclivity for violence

Q: Where would 'propensity' be a reasonable alternative to 'penchant'?

The words propensity and penchant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, propensity implies a deeply ingrained and usually irresistible inclination. // a propensity to offer advice

penchant

noun

ˈpen-chənt

Definition of penchant

as in tendency

a habitual attraction to some activity or thing a penchant for sitting by the window and staring moodily off into space

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How does the noun penchant contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of penchant are leaning, proclivity, and propensity. While all these words mean "a strong instinct or liking for something," penchant implies a strongly marked taste in the person or an irresistible attraction in the object.

a penchant for taking risks

When might leaning be a better fit than penchant?

The meanings of leaning and penchant largely overlap; however, leaning suggests a liking or attraction not strong enough to be decisive or uncontrollable.

a student with artistic leanings

When would proclivity be a good substitute for penchant?

The synonyms proclivity and penchant are sometimes interchangeable, but proclivity suggests a strong natural proneness usually to something objectionable or evil.

a proclivity for violence

Where would propensity be a reasonable alternative to penchant?

The words propensity and penchant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, propensity implies a deeply ingrained and usually irresistible inclination.

a propensity to offer advice

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 penchant Kardashian clearly has a penchant for iconic Hollywood actresses. — Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 9 Oct. 2026 His penchant for the audacious was on display in 2024 when Puigdemont suddenly appeared in Barcelona, gave a public speech and slipped through the police’s grip. — Joseph Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026 One of the best things about McGuire’s other than its penchant for a good time and quality food, is its commitment to bringing diners a bargain. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2026 This group has shown a penchant for the rebound and Payton has been brilliant in October as a head coach, but the coming weeks are not likely to provide much in the way of reprieve. — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for penchant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for penchant

Noun

For Guimaraes, a veteran community builder, the impulse behind Fashion Forward was born out of a sharp realization that the industry’s greatest bottleneck was its tendency to preach to its own choir.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
The project places her among a wave of next-gen electronic artists like Ninajirachi, 2hollis and Jane Remover, all of whom are currently making left of center dance music with strong pop tendencies.

— Katie Bain, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of tendency

Noun

The Duke then entered the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, where his aptitude for foreign languages was recognized with a prize.

— Stephanie Bridger-Linning, Vanity Fair, 10 Oct. 2026
Naturally, his work at Celine has now been put in conversation with hers, especially because both designers share an aptitude for creating clothes real people want to wear–and, therefore, many of the same fans.

— Joan Kennedy, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of aptitude

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

Noun

Every transformer on the grid—from the cylinders perched on utility lines to the big spiky devices at substations—trades voltage for current at a fixed ratio.

— Alex Pasternack, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Within a day, the researcher began seeing active scanning of the simulated Plex server and eventually successful attempts to infect devices.

— Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of devices

Noun

All four movies exhibit Mackenzie’s knack for trenchant social and political commentary slightly heightened by his elegance as a dramatist and visceral genre filmmaker, and all are accompanied by illuminating supplements.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2026
The album was produced by James Ford, one half of the electronic duo Simian Mobile Disco; Ford has also produced records for Geese, Arctic Monkeys, Pulp, Blur, and Depeche Mode, and has a particular knack for making songs sound both verdant and raw.

— Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of knack

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penchant

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“Penchant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penchant. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of penchant

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