Incline

/ɪnˈklaɪn/ · verb

Meaning

(transitive) To bend or move (something) out of a given plane or direction, often the horizontal or vertical..

Definitions by Sense

1. (transitive) To bend or move (something) out of a given plane or direction, often the horizontal or vertical.
2. (intransitive) To slope.
3. (chiefly intransitive, chiefly passive voice) To tend to do or believe something, or move or be moved in a certain direction, away from a point of view, attitude, etc.
4. A slope.
5. A portal of a subway tunnel.

Example Sentences

He had to incline his body against the gusts to avoid being blown down in the storm.

The people following the coffin inclined their heads in grief.

Over the centuries the wind made the walls of the farmhouse incline.

He inclines to believe anything he reads in the newspapers.

I'm inclined to give up smoking after hearing of the risks to my health.

The terp farmer made use of the plough, as is shown by the discovery of three ploughshares and four coulters. […] Those who inclined to the stock-breeding theory based their arguments on the absence of ploughs, […].

"My tastes," he said, still smiling, "incline me to the garishly sunlit side of this planet." And, to tease her and arouse her to combat: "I prefer a farandole to a nocturne; I'd rather have a painting than an etching; Mr. Whistler bores me with his monochromatic mud; I don't like dull colours, dull sounds, dull intellects;[…]."

To reach the building, we had to climb a steep incline.

Synonyms for incline

Antonyms for incline

Related Words

Word Forms

• inclines
• inclining
• inclined
• encline

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

Practice and Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions