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 skinny
having a noticeably small amount of body fat
all of the marathoners are extremely lean
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 30 July 2025
Sometimes, the best teen bedroom design leans towards cool instead of trendy, with an emphasis on functionality.
—Nina Derwin, Architectural Digest, 29 July 2025
Mike Kaye
july 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2025
The Mediterranean diet, which focuses on plants, healthy fat sources, whole grains and lean proteins such as fish, nuts and legumes, has consistently ranked as one of the healthiest dietary patterns and has been linked to many health benefits.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 27 July 2025
Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 6 July 2025
Democrats are hoping a strong national environment will give them a chance at flipping the Senate seat, but Republicans are hoping its conservative lean will keep it off the board.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for lean
Verb
Just leaning into what the core is that the original audience is going to look for, to make sure that hasn’t changed.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 30 July 2025
Sometimes, the best teen bedroom design leans towards cool instead of trendy, with an emphasis on functionality.
—Nina Derwin, Architectural Digest, 29 July 2025
Adjective
Dating back to OTAs and minicamp, Sanders has looked more muscular and leaner.
—Mike Kaye
july 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2025
The Mediterranean diet, which focuses on plants, healthy fat sources, whole grains and lean proteins such as fish, nuts and legumes, has consistently ranked as one of the healthiest dietary patterns and has been linked to many health benefits.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 27 July 2025
Noun
Crunchyroll’s ongoing lean into the fan space doesn’t stop at the showfloor.
—Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 6 July 2025
Democrats are hoping a strong national environment will give them a chance at flipping the Senate seat, but Republicans are hoping its conservative lean will keep it off the board.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for lean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lean
Verb
-
The windfall represents a dramatic departure from the collegiate body’s longstanding amateur model but could level a playing field that was tilted away from the Terps, according to coach Michael Locksley.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
31 July 2025
-
Probably not, but these are already Democratic-leaning states that could tilt toward a big, blue blowout if the political environment for Trump and the Republicans doesn't improve quickly.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 July 2025
Verb
-
Job growth tends to slow in the summer months and at the turn of some firms’ fiscal years, but the US labor market is also in the thick of a structural slog, with job gains overwhelmingly concentrated in a fraction of industries.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
31 July 2025
-
This atmospheric effect is why the rotation rate changes in an annual cycle, with the days when Earth rotates fastest tending to cluster in the Northern Hemisphere’s summer, particularly July and August.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
31 July 2025
Verb
-
With so many options available on the Chrome Web Store, users often rely on trust markers like install counts, user reviews and developer reputation to make their choice.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
14 July 2025
-
Fairhair relies on the love and support of his son, Bloodaxe, and begins to fear that many of his sons are now plotting against him.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
Nothing fires up Google’s algorithm quite like talk of the return of skinny jeans, but for fall/winter 2025 designers are conspiring to relaunch another dormant Noughties trend: slouchy boho boots that puddle around the ankles and fold over the calves.—
Emma Spedding,
Vogue,
24 July 2025
-
Many have been quick to draw a connective throughline between the revival of trends like skinny jeans and bandage dress with the increasing accessibility of Ozempic and other GLP-1 injectables.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
24 July 2025
Noun
-
Even on their romantic outing on the ice rink and slopes, the lovebirds chose to wear complementing cozy 'fits.—
Michelle Lee,
People.com,
25 July 2025
-
The lower-level entrance did not meet accessibility standards due to the steep slope of the walkway, according to library officials, and water collected at the base of the walkway near the building, at times entering the building.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
24 July 2025
Verb
-
This week, Hamas and Israel have both been angling to put more pressure on each other, says NPR's Emily Feng.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
31 July 2025
-
Republicans are angling to chip away at the Voting Rights Act, as Democrats renew a long-shot push to broaden the landmark law that turns 60 next week.—
Kristina Karisch,
The Hill,
31 July 2025
Verb
-
What to look for in a quality cappuccino machine Adjustable water temperature The quality of your espresso absolutely depends on the temperature of the water.—
PubSubHub User,
New York Daily News,
24 July 2025
-
A lot of their success or lack thereof will depend on the growth and development of Love.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 July 2025
Adjective
-
Armstrong provides another veteran depth option to vie for a roster spot in a position group that’s already thin and now ailing.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
24 July 2025
-
Light cushioning maximizes comfort and support in the arch of your foot, while keeping its thin profile.—
Lauren Breedlove,
Travel + Leisure,
24 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lean. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share