The phrase "leans toward" is often used to indicate a preference or tendency towards something. However, there are a variety of synonyms that can be used to convey the same meaning. For example, someone may "gravitate towards" an idea or "incline towards" a certain course of action. Other synonyms include "favor," "lean in the direction of," "tend to," "have a predilection for," "show a proclivity towards," or "have a bias towards." Using different synonyms adds variety to writing and can help to keep readers engaged.