propensities

noun

plural of propensity
1
as in tendencies
an established pattern of behavior the criminal propensities of the family extended over several generations

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in inclinations
a habitual attraction to some activity or thing a neighbor who has an unfortunate propensity for snooping

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 propensities Here was a way to fix inside digital resin some of her habits and propensities, through the words of three of her daughters. — Eythana Miller, The Dial, 23 June 2026 When creating their own version of the character, the developers at IOI sought to emphasize that insubordination as a gameplay tool, grounding it in this Bond’s age-specific propensities. — Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for propensities
  1. tendencies
  2. inclinations
  3. ways
  4. aptitudes
  5. affinities
Noun
  • Wanda’s obsessive drive to succeed ignites her darker side and self-destructive tendencies that led to her drug addiction.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Your more shadowy tendencies are liable to pop out around this time, particularly the ones that stem from an insecure attachment style.
    — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of tendencies
Noun
  • Putin will eventually leave office, whether by death, illness, or—against all observable inclinations—stepping aside.
    — Julian G. Waller, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026
  • People with gene variants that affect these inclinations may also be at a higher risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes, researchers found.
    — Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of inclinations
Noun
  • Although not quite as polished on the racial politics front, Lanterns’s third episode is no less intriguing, as an hour of television dedicated not only to answering pressing questions but fleshing out its lead character in disturbing ways.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
  • OpenAI's investigation, released this week, went considerably further, describing agents that found unauthorized ways to communicate, collaborate and delegate work while attempting to accomplish their objectives.
    — Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of ways
Noun
  • For this class, the premise is that your purpose in life lies to the intersection of your values, your aptitudes and your interests.
    — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 6 May 2026
  • This model reflects Japan’s long-standing corporate culture, which prioritizes new hires for their general potential—their aptitudes and aspirations, as opposed to their current skill sets or university majors—and then trains them on the job.
    — GRACIA LIU-FARRER, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2025
Definition of aptitudes
Noun
  • As opposed to infantile regression, the oceanic feeling can also be understood as a means of recapturing a repressed sense of relation, connection, affinities.
    — George Baker, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Marino also has a penchant for seeing affinities in the work of two artists who paths likely never crossed, as is the case with his two-person exhibition of Parsons and Accardi.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of affinities

Browse Nearby Words

propels
propensities
propensity
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Cite this Entry

“Propensities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propensities. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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