1
as in tilted
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
3
as in relied
to place reliance or trust
you can always lean on me if you need help
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 leaned
The court said the congressional map enacted in Louisiana in 2021 leaned too heavily on race when redrawing the state's voting boundaries to comply with Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
—
Aaron Navarro, CBS News, 14 May 2026
The pair also leaned into the rumors of their off-screen romance.
—Peter White, Deadline, 13 May 2026
Chkhikvishvili, who wore thick-rimmed black glasses and a beige jail jumpsuit, wept and leaned back as Reich laid out his argument.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 13 May 2026
At one point, Richins leaned over to whisper to her attorney.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 13 May 2026
And during Tuesday night’s road matchup against the Dallas Wings, the Atlanta Dream forward leaned all the way into it.
—Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026
Kouri Richins appeared shocked, shook her head and leaned over to speak with her lawyers multiple times as the statements were read.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Investors have leaned into optimism about an end to hostilities, but the swift rally also underscores the significance of the global AI rally.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 7 May 2026
At one point during our conversation by the pool, Corso leaned back in his chair and laughed while recalling that time in 1976 when Indiana somehow grabbed a 7-6 lead against mighty Ohio State.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 May 2026
Aaron Navarro, CBS News, 14 May 2026
The pair also leaned into the rumors of their off-screen romance.
—Peter White, Deadline, 13 May 2026
Chkhikvishvili, who wore thick-rimmed black glasses and a beige jail jumpsuit, wept and leaned back as Reich laid out his argument.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 13 May 2026
At one point, Richins leaned over to whisper to her attorney.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 13 May 2026
And during Tuesday night’s road matchup against the Dallas Wings, the Atlanta Dream forward leaned all the way into it.
—Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026
Kouri Richins appeared shocked, shook her head and leaned over to speak with her lawyers multiple times as the statements were read.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Investors have leaned into optimism about an end to hostilities, but the swift rally also underscores the significance of the global AI rally.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 7 May 2026
At one point during our conversation by the pool, Corso leaned back in his chair and laughed while recalling that time in 1976 when Indiana somehow grabbed a 7-6 lead against mighty Ohio State.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaned
Verb
-
The scene used one of the film’s funniest visual gags, an apartment so crazily tilted that nobody inside it could stand up straight.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
-
It is tilted with heavyweight matchups.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
The team found that places that once received more assistance tended to experience more conflict once that aid abruptly disappeared, often because those who had relied on that aid had become more vulnerable to recruitment by armed groups.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
19 May 2026
-
Professional commentators tended to see these developments in so many local terms—turning, for their explanations, to national histories, cultures and institutions.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Print advertising has traditionally relied on page ownership and long-term placements.—
Simon Corbett,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
In that case, the high court’s conservative majority ruled that map relied too heavily on race with a district aimed at giving Black voters a chance to elect a candidate of their choice.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Leaking faucets, pipes, and air conditioning units should be repaired, and the ground next to the foundation should be sloped so that surface water drains away from the building.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
14 May 2026
-
The roof is sloped to encourage drainage that prevents water and debris from piling up, and is broken up into two levels to allow for an open ventilation panel to let hot air escape while keeping rainwater out.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
With over 90% of the Pelican State tally counted, Letlow was holding steady with about 44% of the vote versus Fleming's roughly 28% and Cassidy's approximately 25%.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
-
Yolo County’s homeless population declined slightly over the past two years, but nearly two-thirds of the people counted in January were living outdoors as county leaders considered millions of dollars in cuts to the services many rely on.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Keough’s $1,690 Alaïa pair kept the front almost bare, with a glossy black thong strap between the toes and a second patent strap angled across the foot.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
16 May 2026
-
In contrast, OpenAI’s attorney suggested Musk, who helped create and fund the company, angled early for total control of OpenAI as Altman pushed back to ensure the powerful tech was not dominated by just one person.—
Hadas Gold,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
In the 1970s, the world depended heavily on Middle Eastern oil.—
Ariel Cohen,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
For nearly 80 years, modern computing has depended on electrons rushing through circuits.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leaned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaned. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
