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
Her version of Billie Jo leaned into the character’s ambition and flair for entertainment.
—
Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 11 Jan. 2026
Epic has leaned into marquee European resorts and interconnected ski domains.
—Bailey Berg, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Jan. 2026
At the 2025 Golden Globes, Cyrus leaned into the showgirl look in a black open-back Celine slip dress, which had cutouts all around the bodice with shimmery sequins and a plunging neckline.
—Elle Meier, InStyle, 11 Jan. 2026
The waterside trees leaned far out over the currents, almost toppling into the river, as if being pushed by the exuberant growth at their backs.
—Stanley Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
Instead, the Nets have leaned into Porter’s off-ball instincts.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 10 Jan. 2026
Teyana Taylor leaned all the way into Harris Reed’s high-impact styling at the Variety & Golden Globes Pre-Golden Globes Party at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Friday.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 10 Jan. 2026
Analysts make predictions ESPN’s NFL Experts leaned toward an Eagles win on Sunday, with six choosing Philadelphia and three going with San Francisco.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 10 Jan. 2026
And several leaned into consolidation—which in some ways compounded the problem.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2025
Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 11 Jan. 2026
Epic has leaned into marquee European resorts and interconnected ski domains.
—Bailey Berg, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Jan. 2026
At the 2025 Golden Globes, Cyrus leaned into the showgirl look in a black open-back Celine slip dress, which had cutouts all around the bodice with shimmery sequins and a plunging neckline.
—Elle Meier, InStyle, 11 Jan. 2026
The waterside trees leaned far out over the currents, almost toppling into the river, as if being pushed by the exuberant growth at their backs.
—Stanley Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
Instead, the Nets have leaned into Porter’s off-ball instincts.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 10 Jan. 2026
Teyana Taylor leaned all the way into Harris Reed’s high-impact styling at the Variety & Golden Globes Pre-Golden Globes Party at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Friday.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 10 Jan. 2026
Analysts make predictions ESPN’s NFL Experts leaned toward an Eagles win on Sunday, with six choosing Philadelphia and three going with San Francisco.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 10 Jan. 2026
And several leaned into consolidation—which in some ways compounded the problem.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaned
Verb
-
Today, Smith wears pleated khakis, a plaid vest, and a newsboy cap tilted to the side.—
Sam Kestenbaum,
Vulture,
2 Jan. 2026
-
Masamaki wears the oversized cap tilted back with a wide grin — a playful contrast to its authoritarian design.—
Michal Ruprecht,
NPR,
28 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The extensive waterworks also made way for sprawling sugarcane fields in the Everglades Agricultural Area, where farmers tended their crops with nutrient-rich fertilizers.—
Amy Green,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Sir Alex Ferguson’s lengthy and wildly successful time in charge ensured any problems tended to reside away from the Old Trafford dugout.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
To help fill the gap, the research team relied on data from 27,670 adults in Sweden recruited to provide dietary data between 1991 and 1996.—
Julia Ries Wexler,
Health,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Their analyses relied on rigid formulas that ignore the dynamics of companies driven by invention, rapid scaling, and exponential growth.—
Shane Goodwin,
Fortune,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
For those times when the ground is just too bumpy, sloped or otherwise uncomfortable to pitch a tent, the Float also comes with a hammock kit.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
9 Dec. 2025
-
It is gently sloped and features an indentation that serves as a natural rest point for my middle finger, with the shutter release positioned at an angle on top.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Chalamet has counted a Critics Choice Award, Palm Springs International Film Festival award and a nomination at the upcoming Actor Awards among his accolades for Marty Supreme (all one year after earning the same nods for playing Bob Dylan in 2024’s A Complete Unknown).—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Such plans are still counted by the CSS Profile, which is used by about 200 private colleges, and some of the schools also count distributions.—
Liz Weston,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Suites face the sea with beds angled toward the horizon, and the ship’s tri‑fuel‑capable engine marks a step toward cleaner operations.—
David Dickstein,
Oc Register,
31 Dec. 2025
-
It’s made from a cozy waffle-knit with contrast trim down the arms, angled front pockets, and elastic around the cuffs and hem.—
Jamie Allison Sanders,
PEOPLE,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Blanc’s business depended on selling franchises and his patented machines.—
Alexander Coolidge,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The couple depended on water bottles and showered at the homes of relatives.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leaned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaned. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share