incline
having a tendency or willingness
Having a feeling that you want to do something, or that something is probably true, but not very strongly.
to be inclined to [verb]
- I’m inclined to agree with your conclusion.
- She’s not inclined to talk about her private life.
- After such a long day, no one felt inclined to cook.
- He’s more scientifically inclined than his older brother.
- I’m inclined to believe that the problem is in the software, not the hardware.
- I am inclined to say yes.
- She is not inclined to go out tonight.
- He feels inclined to help his friend.
- They are politically inclined and talk about news a lot.
- I am inclined to think this is a bad idea.
tend toward a view or action
To move in your mind toward one idea or plan more than others.
to incline toward [opinion or course of action]
- I incline to the view that stricter rules are necessary.
- Many economists now incline toward a more cautious approach.
- As the discussion continued, the committee began to incline in favor of the second proposal.
- On balance, I incline to support the new policy.
- Scholars generally incline to interpret the data in a different way.
- I incline to the view that we need more time.
- Most of them incline toward a peaceful solution.
- After hearing both sides, I incline to support her plan.
- Experts now incline in favor of stronger laws.
- People often incline to believe what they read online.
lean or make something lean
To move so that you or something is not straight up or flat, but at an angle; or to move something into that position.
to incline [something]
- She inclined her head politely as he entered the room.
- The path inclines gently as you approach the village.
- He inclined the chair so that the child could lie back comfortably.
- The ramp inclines too sharply for wheelchair users.
- The photographer asked him to incline his face slightly toward the light.
- She inclined her head to say yes.
- The road inclines as you go up the hill.
- He inclined the seat so the baby could sleep.
- The ramp inclines slowly, so it is easy to walk up.
- Please incline your chair a little bit.
a rising or sloping surface
A part of the ground, road, or another surface that goes up, not flat.
to walk up/down an incline
- The final stretch of the path is a steep incline up to the castle.
- Running on an incline is good training for your legs.
- The truck struggled to pull its load up the long incline.
- Cyclists slowed as they reached the incline before the finish line.
- They parked on a slight incline and used the handbrake.
- The car stopped on a steep incline.
- We walked up a long incline to the house.
- Running on an incline is harder than on flat ground.
- The bike is hard to push up the incline.
- There is a small incline at the end of the road.
make someone more likely to do something
To affect someone so that they want to do something or believe something more than before.
to incline [someone] to [verb or belief]
- Her honesty inclined me to trust her.
- The evidence so far inclines us to believe that the error was accidental.
- His calm manner inclined the audience to listen carefully.
- Economic pressures may incline voters toward more radical options.
- Past experience inclines me to be cautious in situations like this.
- Her kindness inclined me to help her.
- This story inclines me to believe he is innocent.
- His words inclined the team to try again.
- Bad memories incline her to stay at home.
- These facts incline us to think the plan will fail.
- Base: incline
- Plural: inclines
- Base: incline
- 3rd Person Singular: inclines
- Present Participle: inclining
- Past: inclined
be inclined to [noun/adjective]
1have a tendency or interest
To have a natural interest in, or connection with, a type of thing, or to show a certain quality.
- He’s artistically inclined and spends hours drawing.
- She’s not technically inclined, so she avoids fixing devices herself.
- Many students are more theoretically inclined than practically inclined.
be inclined to [verb]
1tend or be willing to do something
To often do something, or to want to do it, but not very strongly; used with another verb after 'to'.
- I’m inclined to agree with you about the budget cuts.
- People are often inclined to blame others instead of themselves.
- After hearing his story, I’m inclined to give him another chance.
feel inclined to [verb]
1have a slight desire to do something
To want to do something a little, but not strongly; often used for polite or hesitant decisions.
- I don’t feel inclined to go out tonight.
- If you feel inclined to help, please let us know.
- No one felt inclined to cook after the long meeting.
incline to the view that
1tend toward a particular belief
To be more ready to believe one explanation or opinion than others; used in careful or formal speech and writing.
- I incline to the view that the report is incomplete.
- Many historians now incline to the view that the war could have been avoided.
incline toward [something]
1tend toward an option or view
To prefer or choose one thing, idea, or side more than another, especially in careful thinking or discussion.
- Given the risks, I incline toward a more conservative investment.
- Judges generally incline toward leniency in first-offense cases.
- Public opinion appears to incline toward change.
inclined plane
1sloping surface used as a simple machine
In physics, a flat surface that is at an angle and is used to move something heavy up or down more easily, like a ramp.
- In science class we learned how an inclined plane reduces the force needed to lift an object.
- A ramp is a common example of an inclined plane.
on an incline
1on a sloping surface
On ground, a road, or another surface that goes up and is not flat.
- Parking on an incline requires you to use the handbrake.
- Running on an incline is harder than running on a flat surface.