inclination

n.

1. A tendency

   bent, bias, propensity, predilection, partiality, penchant, proclivity, leaning, predisposition, attachment, capability, capacity, proneness, aptness, fondness, disposition, liking, preference, movement, susceptibility, weakness, drift, trend, turn, slant, impulse, attraction, affection, affinity, desire, temperament, whim, idiosyncrasy, urge, persuasion.

2. A bow

   bend, bending, bowing; see bow 2.

3. A slope

   grade, downgrade, incline; see hill.

4. A trend

   slant, direction, bent; see drift 1.

5. A slant

   pitch, slope, incline, angle, ramp, declivity, bevel, acclivity, bank, lean, list, tilt; see also grade 1.

inclination refers to a more or less vague mental disposition toward some action, practice, or thing he had an inclination to refuse; leaning suggests a general inclination toward something but implies only the direction of attraction and not the final choice Dr. Green had always had a leaning toward the study of law; bent and propensity imply a natural or inherent inclination coupled with a skill or ability, the latter also connoting an almost uncontrollable attraction she has a bent for art, he has a propensity for getting into trouble; proclivity usually suggests strong inclination as a result of habitual indulgence, usually toward something bad or wrong a proclivity to falsehood