inclination

noun

in·​cli·​na·​tion ˌin-klə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce inclination (audio)
ˌiŋ-
1
: a tendency to a particular aspect, state, character, or action
the clutch has an inclination to slip
2
a
: a deviation from the true vertical or horizontal : slant
also : the degree of such deviation
b
: an inclined surface : slope
c(1)
: the angle determined by two lines or planes
(2)
: the angle made by a line with the x-axis measured counterclockwise from the positive direction of that axis
3
: an act or the action of bending or inclining: such as
a
: bow, nod
b
: a tilting of something
4
a
: a particular disposition of mind or character : propensity
especially : liking
had little inclination for housekeeping
b
obsolete : natural disposition : character
inclinational adjective

Examples of inclination in a Sentence

She shows no inclination to give in to their demands. He's a loner by inclination. My first inclination was to say no, but I finally decided to do what she asked. I have neither the time nor the inclination to learn about such matters.
Recent Examples on the Web This inclination extends beyond the Oval Office; Congress, for instance, is having trouble passing bills that would provide military aid to Israel, which once would have been a political no-brainer. Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 12 Mar. 2024 But still, Brown’s death stood out as an anomaly of sorts: Leopard seals who did approach or encounter divers generally displayed more signs of curiosity than an inclination for violence. Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 28 Feb. 2024 Equipped with '90s inclinations, pastel color palettes, and distinct designs, these brands are subverting notions often associated with office-appropriate attire. Essence, 23 Feb. 2024 Proactiveness In a fast-growth environment such as a startup, identifying potential leaders involves observing those who proactively take on challenges, demonstrate a willingness to experiment, and exhibit a natural inclination toward problem-solving. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Two mature adults — officers of the court, experienced attorneys — could not find it in themselves to put their romantic inclinations on hold while working on the most important case of their careers, and one of the most important criminal cases in American history? Robin Abcarian, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2024 But Allain has musical inclinations of her own, too. Carly Tagen-Dye, Peoplemag, 4 Feb. 2024 His ostentatious penmanship on the Declaration of Independence is recognized far more widely than any of his political accomplishments, philosophical inclinations, or personal exploits. Guy Denton, National Review, 20 Jan. 2024 This tactic appealed to leaders who shared Trump’s authoritarian inclinations and understood his need for seemingly spectacular achievements: Hungary’s Viktor Orban, Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed bin Salman, and even Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu. Peter D. Feaver, Foreign Affairs, 19 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inclination.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4b

Time Traveler
The first known use of inclination was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near inclination

Cite this Entry

“Inclination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inclination. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

inclination

noun
in·​cli·​na·​tion ˌin-klə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce inclination (audio)
iŋ-
1
: a feeling of liking or of wanting to do something
an inclination for sleeping late
2
: an act or the action of bending or tilting
3
: a departure from the true vertical or horizontal : slant
the inclination of the earth's axis
also : the amount of such departure
b
: an inclined surface : slope
4
: a quality which leads to some state or action
the door has an inclination to stick
inclinational
-shnəl How to pronounce inclination (audio)
-shən-ᵊl
adjective

Medical Definition

inclination

noun
in·​cli·​na·​tion ˌin-klə-ˈnā-shən, ˌiŋ- How to pronounce inclination (audio)
: a deviation from the true vertical or horizontal
especially : the deviation of the long axis of a tooth or of the slope of a cusp from the vertical

More from Merriam-Webster on inclination

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