lean 1 of 3

Definition of leannext
1
as in to tilt
to set or cause to be at an angle just lean the ladder against the tree and climb up it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to tend
to show a liking or proneness (for something) the family's diet leans toward greasy food

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in to rely
to place reliance or trust you can always lean on me if you need help

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lean

2 of 3

adjective

lean

3 of 3

noun

as in slope
the degree to which something rises up from a position level with the horizon the wall has enough of a lean that we can't set a bookcase against it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective lean contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of lean are gaunt, lanky, lank, rawboned, scrawny, skinny, and spare. While all these words mean "thin because of an absence of excess flesh," lean stresses lack of fat and of curving contours.

a lean racehorse

When is gaunt a more appropriate choice than lean?

The words gaunt and lean can be used in similar contexts, but gaunt implies marked thinness or emaciation as from overwork or suffering.

a prisoner's gaunt face

When is it sensible to use lank instead of lean?

The words lank and lean are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, lank implies tallness as well as leanness.

the lank legs of the heron

When would lanky be a good substitute for lean?

The synonyms lanky and lean are sometimes interchangeable, but lanky suggests awkwardness and loose-jointedness as well as thinness.

a lanky youth, all arms and legs

In what contexts can rawboned take the place of lean?

The meanings of rawboned and lean largely overlap; however, rawboned suggests a large ungainly build without implying undernourishment.

a rawboned farmer

How do scrawny and skinny relate to one another, in the sense of lean?

Both scrawny and skinny imply an extreme leanness that suggests deficient strength and vitality.

a scrawny chicken
skinny street urchins

When could spare be used to replace lean?

While the synonyms spare and lean are close in meaning, spare suggests leanness from abstemious living or constant exercise.

the gymnast's spare figure

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 lean
Verb
Almost 30 minutes later, Messi caught Alexander Schlager leaning the wrong way after Thiago Almada let Facuno Medina's pass go by him directly onto Messi's left foot. ABC News, 22 June 2026 Reese Witherspoon celebrated Legally Blonde’s 25th anniversary in New York City while leaning into the season’s toe-ring sandal trend. Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 22 June 2026
Adjective
Chipotle was lean enough in 2015 that Garner could start on a blank slate. Peter High, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026 To compensate for winter’s period of lean rations, however, flatties gorge in spring to ease their wake-up hunger pangs and again in fall to gain weight like bears preparing for hibernation. Keith Sutton, Outdoor Life, 18 June 2026
Noun
Case in point is the Koala Bear, which embraces the roots of the small living movement and leans into its strength as a portable home for one or two modern nomads. Adam Williams may 24, New Atlas, 24 May 2026 The company’s public framing leans so heavily on markets as an early proving ground. Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 8 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for lean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lean
Verb
  • Your 11th House of Friends tilts against routines as the instinctive Moon forms a quincunx to passionate Mars in your 6th House of Work.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 23 June 2026
  • The current balance appears tilted towards the holders.
    Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • The best Prime Day clothing deals tend to change day by day, so check back in over the course of the event to shop all the newest and most exciting markdowns.
    Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 23 June 2026
  • Alphabet, Amazon, Meta and Microsoft saw losses between 2% and 5% on a mix of AI concerns and higher yields, which tend not to bode well for growth stocks.
    Gail Krishnan, CNBC, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • The lawsuit notes that LeVota’s credit plan relies directly on pulling money back that had already been distributed to school districts — the same criticism identified by the dozen school districts behind the open letter.
    Ilana Arougheti June 22, Kansas City Star, 22 June 2026
  • Additionally, relying on gelatin as a dietary staple comes with nutritional risks.
    Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026
Adjective
  • This week, global fashion technology company and search engine Lyst reported that demand for men’s skinny jeans and skinny pants has risen 25 percent month-on-month on the platform.
    Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 24 June 2026
  • On-ball players this skinny who have entered the NBA recently have struggled.
    John Hollinger, New York Times, 24 June 2026
Noun
  • His last act was a 35-foot birdie putt down the slope on the 18th green that dropped for a 1-under 69.
    Doug Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2026
  • Once a blemish on the course due to its sharp slope, the area was completely overhauled.
    Anya Armentrout, Twin Cities, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • While fully waterproof ones are rare, plenty are water-resistant, which means most rain will roll off if angled properly.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026
  • Others play the long game, staying in role for months and even angling for promotions to expand access.
    Brian Contos, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • From there, the workup depends on what a doctor finds.
    Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 25 June 2026
  • In some states, Powerball tickets can be bought online depending on local jurisdiction.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 23 June 2026
  • Tree was recognizable for his bright fashion, mullet haircut with prominent bangs, thin mustache and encouraging outlook.
    Dennis Romero, NBC news, 22 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lean. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on lean

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster