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inclination meaning and examples

2025-10-28

Meaning

Inclination means a natural tendency, preference, or feeling toward a particular behavior, activity, or idea. It can also refer to a physical tilt or slope.

Part of speech: Noun

Grammar and Usage

  • Structure: have an inclination to do something – to be likely or willing to do something. show an inclination toward something – to display a preference or tendency.

  • Meaning variations:

    • Emotional or behavioral: a tendency or desire (e.g., “She has an inclination to help others.”)
    • Physical: a slope or angle (e.g., “The hill has a gentle inclination.”)

Common Phrases

  • have an inclination to do something
  • show an inclination toward something
  • follow one’s inclination
  • natural inclination
  • slight inclination

Collocations

  • Verb + inclination: have, show, express, follow, resist
  • Adjective + inclination: natural, strong, slight, moral, personal
  • Preposition: inclination to / toward

Examples

  1. She has an inclination to wake up early and start her day with yoga.
  2. I have no inclination to argue about this matter.
  3. His artistic inclination was clear from a young age.
  4. The hill has a steep inclination, making it hard to climb.
  5. He showed little inclination to join the discussion.
  6. Follow your natural inclination and do what feels right.
  7. Scientists often have an inclination toward logical thinking.
  8. My first inclination was to refuse, but I decided to listen.
  • tendency
  • preference
  • disposition
  • leaning
  • proclivity
  • bias

Antonym

  • disinclination
  • aversion
  • reluctance