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
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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
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Recent Examples of lean
Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 1 June 2026
Casey and Miller are expected to lean heavily on the Streets of Rage video game to fill out the movie’s characters and storyline.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2026
Yolanda Harris, AJC.com, 28 May 2026
In one clinical trial, ostarine — also known as enobosarm — was found to be effective at increasing lean muscle mass and is currently undergoing another round of clinical trials in breast cancer patients.
—T.m. Brown, CNN Money, 28 May 2026
Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 1 May 2026
The lean comes from the settling of the building’s foundation.
—Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lean
Verb
The district in recent years has leaned Republican, though voter data show 23% of the district’s voters are affiliated as Democrats, 26% as Republicans, while nearly half have no party identification.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 1 June 2026
Casey and Miller are expected to lean heavily on the Streets of Rage video game to fill out the movie’s characters and storyline.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2026
Adjective
As temperatures rise and sleeves get shorter, many people are looking for simple, affordable ways to feel stronger, leaner and more confident.
—Yolanda Harris, AJC.com, 28 May 2026
In one clinical trial, ostarine — also known as enobosarm — was found to be effective at increasing lean muscle mass and is currently undergoing another round of clinical trials in breast cancer patients.
—T.m. Brown, CNN Money, 28 May 2026
Noun
Musically, Middle of Nowhere leans into traditions shaped in small-town Texas dancehalls (pedal steel, Norteño accordion and other border-blurring textures) but rarely plays it straight.
—Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 1 May 2026
The lean comes from the settling of the building’s foundation.
—Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lean
Verb
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More storms possible A developing El Niño in the Pacific Ocean could tilt conditions toward a more active eastern and central Pacific hurricane season this year.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
1 June 2026
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Adding Philly or Boston would have tilted the geographic balance too heavily toward the northeast.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
1 June 2026
Verb
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The first batches of votes include the earliest voters, who tend to be more decisive and engaged than the general public.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
-
Days here tend to revolve around the outdoors—bike rides through the grounds, long lunches with Tannat wine, or afternoons at the spa—though the property also works well as a jumping-off point for exploring Carmelo’s small wineries and quiet riverfront.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Officials described the discovery as a significant blow to criminal organizations that rely on underground smuggling routes to move narcotics and other contraband across the border.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
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Threewitt said the state's electric demand has shifted dramatically in the last decade, as residents rely more heavily on technology.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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However, Mercerat noted that skinny and slim jeans’ growth is slowing in comparison to other fits that are growing like baggy and boyfriend.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
27 May 2026
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The host has this idea of a long, skinny mic and a cool suit and a snappy batter.—
Emily Longeretta,
Variety,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Just hundreds of sheep clinging to the grassy slopes.—
Lori Rackl,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
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Park rangers and mountain guides install and maintain snow pickets — which are used to help build anchors for extra protection on areas like steep slopes — between the high camp and Denali Pass, the park has said.—
Becky Bohrer,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Verb
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Lia Godfrey passed ahead to Brazil’s Dudinha, who angled a low shot to the right of Chicago goalkeeper Katie Atkinson.—
Ryan Finley,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2026
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Two wings of overwater villas flare out from the far sides of the island, its shape reminiscent of that of Italy, some specifically angled for prime sunset views.—
Lauren Keith,
Robb Report,
30 May 2026
Verb
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About 10 million people have jobs that depend on internet connectivity, according to Communications Minister Sattar Hashemi.—
Amir-Hussein Radjy,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2026
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Of course, that also greatly depends on being fortunate in the health department.—
Jon Machota,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
Adjective
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Said was clean-shaven, with close-cropped, graying hair and thin, rectangular glasses.—
Bozorgmehr Sharafedin,
The Atlantic,
1 June 2026
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Expect body hair to thin, disappear, Alpinize.—
Sandra Cisneros,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lean. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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