propensity

noun

pro·​pen·​si·​ty prə-ˈpen(t)-sə-tē How to pronounce propensity (audio)
plural propensities
: an often intense natural inclination or preference

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You'll Like the Etymology of Propensity

When it comes to synonyms of propensity, the letter "p" predominates. Proclivity, preference, penchant, and predilection all share with propensity the essential meaning of "a strong instinct or liking." Not every word that is similar in meaning to propensity begins with "p," however. Propensity comes from Latin propensus, the past participle of propendēre, a verb meaning "to incline" or "to hang forward or down." Thus leaning and inclination are as good synonyms of propensity as any of those "p"-words.

Choose the Right Synonym for propensity

leaning, propensity, proclivity, penchant mean a strong instinct or liking for something.

leaning suggests a liking or attraction not strong enough to be decisive or uncontrollable.

a student with artistic leanings

propensity implies a deeply ingrained and usually irresistible inclination.

a propensity to offer advice

proclivity suggests a strong natural proneness usually to something objectionable or evil.

a proclivity for violence

penchant implies a strongly marked taste in the person or an irresistible attraction in the object.

a penchant for taking risks

Examples of propensity in a Sentence

Other researches are exploring how the adolescent propensity for uninhibited risk taking propels teens to experiment with drugs and alcohol. Claudia Wallis, Time, 10 May 2004
On the other hand, a jury might be convinced that a meth dealer who had brazenly fired a pistol through his door had a propensity for violence. John Cloud, Time, 14 July 2003
A central tenet of this camp's proponents is that a considerable number of biological dispositions evolved during the Stone Age, including a male propensity for making war. Bruce Bower, Science News, 27 Jan. 2001
He had a propensity for crime. the criminal propensities of the family extended over several generations
Recent Examples on the Web Unlike today’s gun advocates, who think of danger as other types of people, the founders understood tyranny as a universal propensity—a problem larger than monarchy or the more obvious villainies of history. TIME, 31 Jan. 2024 Despite social media’s propensity to propagate hate, the other side of the proverbial coin is that social media—staying true to its name—has immense power to bring people together and build community. Steven Aquino, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 The evaluations include quizzing the models on grade-school math and science questions, testing their commonsense reasoning and measuring their propensity to repeat misinformation. Angela Yang, NBC News, 20 Feb. 2024 This ratio of heat-generating volume to heat-losing surface area affects our propensity to get cold, as well. Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 8 Feb. 2024 Comparisons The Belichick-Brady Patriots became renowned not for a particular style of play, but for their propensity for finding a way to win. Ben Morse, CNN, 8 Feb. 2024 Now, Snap is recalling all of its Pixy drones due to the battery’s propensity to swell, heat up, and occasionally catch fire. Boone Ashworth, WIRED, 3 Feb. 2024 That’s why there’s a propensity to blame an individual for not having the willpower to save. Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 16 Feb. 2024 Some of their propensity for speculation is generational. Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 2 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin prōpensitāt-, prōpensitās, from Latin prōpensus "weighted down, inclined, having a disposition or tendency" + -itāt-, -itās -ity — more at propense

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of propensity was in 1570

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Dictionary Entries Near propensity

Cite this Entry

“Propensity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/propensity. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

propensity

noun
pro·​pen·​si·​ty prə-ˈpen(t)-sət-ē How to pronounce propensity (audio)
plural propensities
: a natural inclination or liking : bent
a propensity for bright colors
a propensity to daydream

More from Merriam-Webster on propensity

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