gravitate
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to move or tend to move under the influence of gravitational force.
-
to tend toward the lowest level; sink; fall.
-
to have a natural tendency or be strongly attracted (usually followed by to ortoward ).
Musicians gravitate toward one another.
verb
-
physics to move under the influence of gravity
-
to be influenced or drawn, as by strong impulses
-
to sink or settle
Other Word Forms
- gravitater noun
- supergravitate verb (used without object)
- ungravitating adjective
Etymology
Origin of gravitate
First recorded in 1635–45; from New Latin gravitātus (past participle of gravitāre “to obey the laws of gravitation,” coined by Sir Isaac Newton ); gravity, -ate 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"People have problems -- pick them up and solve them. That gravitated me towards politics."
From Barron's
When it comes to reforming criminals, “success looks like more and more people gravitating to their own journey, their own personal reform,” Newsom said, sounding more like a lifestyle influencer than a presidential contender.
From Los Angeles Times
“For the longest time I was gravitating between anger and sadness,” she said.
From Los Angeles Times
Another formula towards which I gravitate: one hot side, one cold, one green, one beige.
From Salon
Investors are also gravitating to high-yielding haven stocks in the consumer staples sector.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
