lean 1 of 3

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

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
Here are six core risks—and how family offices can turn them into opportunities: Concentration Risk Too many portfolios lean heavily into a single property type, location or operator. Dj Van Keuren, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025 Nothing is better than leaning back in your beach chair, opening up a cold beverage, and diving into a new book while digging your toes into the sand and feeling salt air on your face. Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 16 May 2025
Adjective
One thing the brand does successfully, though, is lean into its European identity, especially the Italian flair of its founders. Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2025 The agency was already lean and had a plan to be more efficient. Judson Jones, New York Times, 15 May 2025
Noun
The show’s perspective, it’s got a cultural lean to it, and that’s one of the positive things about being involved. Lisa De Los Reyes, HollywoodReporter, 13 Apr. 2025 In Europe, the German publishing giant’s media holdings are known for their conservative lean. Liam Reilly, CNN, 6 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lean
Verb
  • Midway through the period, though, the ice started to tilt in the other direction.
    Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 21 May 2025
  • But it was renamed The Land of Hope and Dreams tour earlier this month, and is clearly tilting in a more political direction now that Trump is back in the White House.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • The way in which these things tend to develop is that a certain amount of energy is accumulated, the conditions for negotiation manifest and then politics and power make the move.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 20 May 2025
  • These limited-time offers cover both name-brand gear and underrated gems, but inventory tends to move fast when prices dip this low.
    Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • Will people rely too much on AI assistants to get through the day?
    Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • UnitedHealth Group's deepening problems are affecting the company's executives, investors, and the tens of millions of people who rely on it for health insurance and medical care.
    Maria Aspan, NPR, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • She was dressed for vacation in a sheer white long sleeve mini dress and slides, while the realtor wore a casual travel-day combo of skinny jeans, a white t-shirt and sneakers.
    Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 13 May 2025
  • Ball is too inattentive on that end despite his impressive offensive skill set, and Miller is quite skinny and struggles to wall up on opposing guards and wings through his core.
    Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • Eleven days later, the Chinese team returned to the high slopes to make another attempt.
    Jenny Hall, CNN Money, 14 May 2025
  • Over the past several years, the resort has experienced significant growth through a three-year ski expansion project, which added new slopes, lifts and advanced snowmaking technology, driving an increase in winter guest visits.
    Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • The nylon bristles are angled to ensure that strands migrate to the side of the cleaner head rather than getting wrapped around or tangled in the brush bar.
    Brenda Stolyar, Wired News, 22 May 2025
  • Rather than build on a north-south axis, Frank angled the more than 5,000-square-foot steel-beam structure to run from the southeast to northwest on its corner parcel, with everything flaring out from a spacious central hub.
    Tori Latham, Robb Report, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • The future path of egg prices will depend on the administration's ability to get a grip on the bird flu crisis.
    Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
  • Astronauts depend on music, auditory cues and ambient feedback to stay focused and grounded.
    Harshal Shah, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • Apple touts its 13-inch iPad Pro as the thinnest Apple device at 0.20 inches.
    Iyaz Akhtar, PC Magazine, 13 May 2025
  • Your doctor may want to use a laryngoscope, a camera on a thin tube placed down your throat, to examine your voice box and determine if postnasal drip or something else is causing your symptoms, Cho says.
    Sarah Klein, Time, 13 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lean. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on lean

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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