cant 1 of 4

noun (1)

Definition of cantnext
as in inclination
the degree to which something rises up from a position level with the horizon a steep cant of the riverbank at that turn in the river

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cant

2 of 4

noun (2)

1
as in deception
the pretending of having virtues, principles, or beliefs that one in fact does not have many accused the evangelist of cant, since his lavish lifestyle seemed to bear little resemblance to what he was preaching

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2
as in terminology
the special terms or expressions of a particular group or field the colorful cant used by movie producers and publicity agents in Hollywood

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cant

3 of 4

adjective

as in leaning
running in a slanting direction the cant buttresses on the interior walls are made of solid oak

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cant

4 of 4

verb

as in to tilt
to set or cause to be at an angle carefully canted the ladder against the wall

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cant
Noun
The front end has a shark nose design and the top edge of the hood cants foward. — Joel Feder, The Drive, 21 May 2026 The fairway cants to the right. — ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
Verb
The center screen is handsomely integrated well below your road-facing sightline, and slightly canted toward the driver for exceptional readability. — Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 21 Jan. 2026 Alex stood across the living room, his head canted down and his eyes fixated on a carousel of TikTok videos emanating from his mother’s cellphone. — Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cant
  1. inclination
  2. deception
  3. terminology
  4. oblique
  5. tilt
  6. slope
  7. deceit
  8. vocabulary
Noun
  • Collectively, that inclination could lead to bills soaring ever higher.
    — Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • But analysts at the time cautioned that Beijing had neither the capability nor inclination to pressure either side into negotiating.
    — Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of inclination
Noun
  • Prevention of fraud, deception and public accountability are reasons given for this suggestion.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026
  • As the investigation unfolded, what initially appeared to be a daring ransom scheme evolved into a complex story of obsession, deception, and unexpected motives.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of deception
Noun
  • When officials disagree, even if legitimate based on terminology, the general public can interpret that disagreement as evidence that officials do not have a solid understanding of the outbreak.
    — Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • But there’s an interesting conundrum that arises from the terminology itself.
    — Jennifer Donnelly, Scientific American, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of terminology
Adjective
  • Summary The Chicago Cubs are currently shuffling their infield due to Dansby Swanson's oblique injury, moving Nico Hoerner to shortstop and Pedro Ramírez to second base.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • There was the oblique strain in early April that sidelined him for more than a month.
    — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of oblique
Verb
  • In horizontal-review mode, the Court has struck down laws limiting slavery and child labor, establishing income taxes and minimum wages, and restricting corporations from tilting elections or firing workers for union activity.
    — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The screen can tilt 20 degrees up or down, swivel right and left 15 degrees, and even rotate 90 degrees into portrait mode.
    — Joe Salas August 28, New Atlas, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of tilt
Noun
  • Riders go down a steep slope on large inner tubes before hitting a small bump to slow down and finally stopping on a turf patch.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Sabrina Blanchard and Luca Matteucci/AFP/Getty The Hindu Kush Himalayan region is warming rapidly, driving major changes in glaciers, snow cover, permafrost and mountain slopes, according to climate scientists.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of slope
Noun
  • Their topics include the limits of authenticity and how to grasp understanding in a world awash in deceit.
    — Christopher Coffman, The Conversation, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The state alleges OpenAI's rapid success stems from deceit and exploitation, causing widespread harm to Floridians and subverting public order.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of deceit
Noun
  • Cantonese uses different grammar than Mandarin, as well as different vocabulary, particularly in the city of Hong Kong, where speakers often switch between English and Cantonese words, sometimes in the same sentence.
    — Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Ruby Hobbs-Leffler felt things with an intensity that even a smart little girl with a big vocabulary couldn’t put into words.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of vocabulary

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Cite this Entry

“Cant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cant. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cant

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cant

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