Meaning & use
inclination
Last updated
A natural tendency or preference to act or think in a particular way.
See it in a sentence
She had a strong inclination toward the arts from an early age.
His inclination was to avoid conflict whenever possible.
A note on using this word
Inclination can also describe a physical slope or angle, as in the inclination of a hillside, in addition to its more common sense of a mental leaning or preference.
Words with a similar meaning
tendencydisposition
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
disinclinationaversion
Another way to use it
2. noun
The angle or degree of slope of something relative to a horizontal line.
The road's steep inclination made cycling difficult.
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