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View synonyms for inclination

inclination

[ in-kluh-ney-shuhn ]

noun

  1. a disposition or bent, especially of the mind or will; a liking or preference:

    Much against his inclination, he was forced to resign.

    Synonyms: penchant, predisposition, predilection, proclivity, propensity, tendency, leaning

    Antonyms: dislike

  2. something to which one is inclined:

    In sports his inclination is tennis.

  3. the act of inclining; state of being inclined.
  4. a tendency toward a certain condition, action, etc.:

    the door's inclination to stick.

  5. deviation or amount of deviation from a normal, especially horizontal or vertical, direction or position.

    Synonyms: pitch, grade, fall, rise, slant, slope

  6. an inclined surface.

    Synonyms: ramp, pitch, grade, fall, rise, slant, slope

  7. Geometry.
    1. the angle between two lines or two planes.
    2. the angle formed by the x-axis and a given line.
  8. Astronomy.
    1. the angle between the orbital plane of a planet and another given plane, usually the ecliptic.
    2. the angle between the equatorial and orbital planes of a planet.
  9. Magnetism. dip 1( def 32 ).


inclination

/ ˌɪnklɪˈneɪʃən /

noun

  1. often foll byfor, to, towards, or an infinitive a particular disposition, esp a liking or preference; tendency

    I've no inclination for such dull work

  2. the degree of deviation from a particular plane, esp a horizontal or vertical plane
  3. a sloping or slanting surface; incline
  4. the act of inclining or the state of being inclined
  5. the act of bowing or nodding the head
  6. maths
    1. the angle between a line on a graph and the positive limb of the x- axis
    2. the smaller dihedral angle between one plane and another
  7. astronomy the angle between the plane of the orbit of a planet or comet and another plane, usually that of the ecliptic
  8. See dip
    physics another name for dip


inclination

/ ĭn′klə-nāshən /

  1. A deviation or the degree of deviation from the horizontal or vertical.


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Derived Forms

  • ˌincliˈnational, adjective

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Other Words From

  • incli·nation·al adjective
  • nonin·cli·nation noun
  • nonin·cli·nation·al adjective
  • over·incli·nation noun
  • super·incli·nation noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of inclination1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English inclinacioun, from Latin inclīnātiōn-, stem of inclīnātiō, from inclīnāt(us) “caused to bend” (past participle of inclīnāre “to cause to bend”; incline ) + -iō -ion

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Example Sentences

Grading papers, family obligations and serious drinking left him without much inclination to write.

Your natural inclination is to look around and absorb the world, not start running and gunning.

The goal was to understand what prompts people to switch from a run to a walk or vice-versa, and determine whether our natural inclinations also correspond to the most efficient approach.

It also varies in its inclination, or the angle at which magnetic field lines intersect with the planet’s surface.

They drafted Jalen Hurts in the second round and have shown no inclination to significantly use him as a change-of-pace quarterback, which suggests they had some doubts about Wentz’s future back in April.

After all, almost everyone with the inclination to vote will show up at a polling place.

This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial.

The evil inclination is saying in this song, ‘I’m looked at as this bad guy, but you have power, you have control.

There is the inclination to respond this complaint on legal grounds.

“The inclination of the human heart is evil from youth,” the Yahwist explains.

The sailors were all in amazement, and asked me a thousand questions, which I had no inclination to answer.

Garnache bowed to the lady, who returned his greeting by an inclination of the head, and his keen eyes played briskly over her.

I desire and am endeavoring to be on my guard respecting matters which concern his inclination and not his reason.

It was as though he appeared not to know what to do; what he ought to do; his own wish or inclination having no part in it.

The Americans thereupon turned their guns upon the rebels, who showed an inclination to fight.

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inclinableinclinatory