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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of lean
Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 30 Sep. 2025
He’s fully leaned into viral moments, flipped the script, and incorporated them into his outreach.
—Olivia-Anne Cleary, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
It is inspired by lean manufacturing principles utilized in the automotive industry.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2025
The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
The Mercer 41 sleeper sofa—made to fit two guests quite comfortably—channels a Bauhaus vibe with its metal frame, and the green corduroy upholstery leans into today’s penchant for all things ’70s.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lean
Verb
Shenhe Colorful Cardigan If your fall wardrobe leans neutral, this colorful striped cardigan is the easiest way to add playfulness without sacrificing comfort.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 30 Sep. 2025
He’s fully leaned into viral moments, flipped the script, and incorporated them into his outreach.
—Olivia-Anne Cleary, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The Deferred Resignation Program was a necessary step toward a smarter, leaner, more effective government.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
It is inspired by lean manufacturing principles utilized in the automotive industry.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
The list that follows leans mostly toward dives with history, little gems that cater to a wider range of ages and offer more to the palate than cheap beer.
—The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
The Mercer 41 sleeper sofa—made to fit two guests quite comfortably—channels a Bauhaus vibe with its metal frame, and the green corduroy upholstery leans into today’s penchant for all things ’70s.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lean
Verb
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The screenwriter, Nora Garrett, has achieved an amusingly florid Hollywood simulacrum—one that tilts into knowing parody—of an intensely self-regarding world.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
3 Oct. 2025
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Something, the researchers said, must be disturbing these orbits and tilting them.—
Jacopo Prisco,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Voters also tend to lean more nationalist and conservative during economic downturns, said Hajime Kidera, a professor at Meiji University’s School of Political Science and Economics – which is one reason Abe was so popular during the post-recession early 2010s.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
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Healthy, stress-free trees that are consistently watered throughout the year tend to display better fall color.—
Paul Cappiello,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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During the last government shutdown in 2018-19, there were reports of trash piling up at national park sites and the organization relied on nonprofits and volunteers to keep up certain services.—
Katie Wiseman,
IndyStar,
2 Oct. 2025
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China has its own ultra-fast system, which Tesla relies on for the Chinese market.—
Rebecca A. Fannin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But does Hegseth want the best generals, or just the best skinny ones?—
Benjamin Wallace-Wells,
New Yorker,
5 Oct. 2025
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Guayabero River knifefish have skinny, elongated bodies reaching just over 7 inches in length, the study said.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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While this does not sound terribly steep, this was in Earth's gravity — in the lower gravity of Mars, this would be equivalent to a 30 degree slope.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
30 Sep. 2025
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Demand for workers has been on a downward slope for much of this year.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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All this time the second buck was angling up to my left on a dead run, headed straight for Sally.—
Robert Merchant,
Outdoor Life,
1 Oct. 2025
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Tweens and teens not angling for a spin around the ice skating rink can hit The Hawk’s Nest, a new club with arcade games, a light-up dance floor, and non-alcoholic beverages, while the adults pick between the many bars, restaurants, and fire pits dotting the village.—
Grace Bastidas,
Parents,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Betterment Learn More Minimum deposit and balance Minimum deposit and balance requirements may vary depending on the investment vehicle selected.—
Andreina Rodriguez,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
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Achieving cost parity with China for batteries requires production at scale, and that scale depends on strong, sustained demand for EVs, the largest battery consumer.—
Rebecca A. Fannin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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Batteries without the filter lost power quickly, while batteries with the atom-thin filter retained almost all their capacity for more than 150 charge-discharge cycles.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lean. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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