penchant
noun
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What is the Difference Between penchant, leaning, propensity, And proclivity?
Like its synonyms leaning, propensity, and proclivity, penchant implies a strong instinct or liking for something. But these four words, while similar, are also distinguished by subtle differences. Leaning usually suggests a liking or attraction not strong enough to be decisive or uncontrollable ("a student with artistic leanings"), whereas propensity tends to imply a deeply ingrained and usually irresistible inclination ("a propensity to offer advice"). Proclivity frequently suggests a strong, natural proneness to something objectionable or evil ("a proclivity for violence"). Penchant, a descendant of Latin pendere (meaning "to weigh"), typically implies a strongly marked taste in the person ("a penchant for jazz music") or an irresistible attraction in the object ("a penchant for taking risks").
Synonyms
Examples of penchant in a Sentence
Tom Piazza, Why New Orleans Matters, 2005
Whether manifested in feminine decor or in an approach to teaching that assumes a female penchant for cooperative, or "connected," learning, stereotypical notions of femininity often infect institutions for women and girls.
—Wendy Kaminer, Atlantic, April 1998
From both her father and mother she had inherited a penchant for art, literature, philosophy, and music. Already at eighteen she was dreaming of painting, singing, writing poetry, writing books, acting—anything and everything.
—Theodore Dreiser, The Titan, 1914
a penchant for sitting by the window and staring moodily off into space
Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Jonathan Smith, a defense attorney who was hired by Boyle out of law school in 1995, said the attorney had the penchant for relating to people in the courtroom.
—David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 19 Nov. 2024
State of play: Private equity has a penchant for franchises, drawn by its asset-light model and good cash flows.
—Kimberly Chin, Axios, 19 Nov. 2024
Lev Nachman, political scientist and assistant professor at National Chengchi University in Taipei, said Trump's historical penchant for unilateralism could further strengthen China's hand in the region at the expense of the U.S.'s framework of alliances—complicate Taiwan's standing.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for penchant 
Dictionary Entries Near penchant
Cite this Entry
“Penchant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/penchant. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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penchant
noun
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