lean toward

Meanings

1. 1phrasephrasal verb

   To be inclined to choose, support, or believe something rather than another option.

   Grammar: Followed by a noun or an -ing form: lean toward the second plan / lean toward staying.

   Patterns

   • lean toward something
   • lean toward doing something
   • lean toward one option

   After hearing both sides, I lean toward the cheaper option.

   Most of the committee leans toward holding the event in June.

   She leaned toward accepting the job, but wanted to see the contract first.

2. 2phrasephrasal verb

   To move your body slightly in the direction of someone or something.

   Grammar: Used literally about the body; often followed by a person or object: lean toward the microphone.

   Patterns

   • lean toward someone
   • lean toward something

   He leaned toward me and whispered the answer.

   The singer leaned toward the crowd as she sang.

Word forms

Common combinations

lean toward a decision

The judges seem to lean toward a decision in her favor.

lean toward the idea

I lean toward the idea of moving the meeting online.

lean toward one side

The newspaper clearly leans toward one side of the argument.

lean toward doing something

They lean toward hiring someone with more experience.

Synonyms and how they differ

favor

Stronger and more direct than lean toward; it openly shows support rather than a slight preference.

prefer

States a clear choice, while lean toward suggests you are still deciding.

incline toward

More formal and a little old-fashioned; common in writing about opinions.

Opposites

Word family

lean verb

To bend or move from an upright position.

leaning noun

A tendency to support a particular idea or group.

Commonly confused: lean toward or lean on?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “lean toward”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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