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
Boutayna Chokrane, Wired News, 24 June 2025
Tenorio’s approach to vegan food leans plant-forward.
—Sophie Levenson, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025
Margaret Barthel, NPR, 17 June 2025
As tech organizations flatten their hierarchies, restructure teams and return to leaner operating models, one skill separates executives who thrive from those who struggle: the ability to delegate.
—Jimmie Lee, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2025
Footage also showed the kitchen staff bracing themselves for another big lean from the boat, per 9 News Australia.
—Escher Walcott, People.com, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lean
Verb
Omorovicza's Perfecting Lip Balm's texture leans gritty, almost like a lip polish or a micro-exfoliator.
—Boutayna Chokrane, Wired News, 24 June 2025
Tenorio’s approach to vegan food leans plant-forward.
—Sophie Levenson, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025
Adjective
That lean to the right was fueled in large part by Trump's gains in the suburbs outside of D.C. — an area of the state that now stands to be particularly affected by the Trump administration's cuts to the federal government.
—Margaret Barthel, NPR, 17 June 2025
As tech organizations flatten their hierarchies, restructure teams and return to leaner operating models, one skill separates executives who thrive from those who struggle: the ability to delegate.
—Jimmie Lee, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
Noun
Her take on the record is soulful and largely piano-based, whereas Starr’s original leans into more classic pop production.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2025
Footage also showed the kitchen staff bracing themselves for another big lean from the boat, per 9 News Australia.
—Escher Walcott, People.com, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lean
Verb
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On monthly Red Mirror Party nights, the whole space tilts into extravagance: live shows, flowing Champagne, and a dress code best described as ‘shiny’.—
Lela London,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
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In another clip later shared to TikTok, Sandy can be seen tilting her head back and forth at the TV, as Annie sings about her own dog.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
Verb
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His turnover rate is sky high, which tends to be a bad indicator.—
Sam Vecenie,
New York Times,
26 June 2025
-
Rainwater tends to stockpile on the edges of roads.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
25 June 2025
Verb
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Turkey relies heavily on energy imports, including from Iran, and rising oil prices due to the conflict could aggravate inflation and further strain its troubled economy.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 June 2025
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At Campbellsville University in Kentucky, nearly half of the students are international, and the university, which scored a C on the Forbes 2025 Financial Grades, relies on tuition and fees to make up 83% of its operating revenues.—
Emma Whitford,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
Adjective
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Jamie has a big head, like a baby, and skinny limbs; his flashes of menace have the horror-movie quality of an evil doll.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
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As a departure from the era of plain skinny ties, Lauren's wide, colorful neckties broke the mold, and his company grew from there.—
Diane J. Cho,
People.com,
28 June 2025
Noun
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The plan also involves adding California Highway Patrol observation areas, vehicle pull-out areas, a traffic signal at Noble Road, as well as slope protection and drainage improvements, and improvements to the tidal salt marsh and public access.—
Adrian Rodriguez,
Mercury News,
18 June 2025
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The journey’s two remote campsites are reached by traversing spectacular terrain on foot across glaciers, up icy slopes, and through glittering blue ice caves.—
Chloe Berge,
Outside Online,
17 June 2025
Verb
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India, meanwhile, is angling for Trump World to exempt its economy from sectoral tariffs on autos and steel and reciprocal taxes.—
William Pesek,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
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Veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett are angling for the starting position, and rookies Sanders and Dillon Gabriel are angling to also start somehow, but possibly land a third-string situation.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 June 2025
Verb
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Much depends on the role of Manuela Giugliano, likely to play as a deep midfielder rather than the No 10 position she is often deployed in at Roma.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
30 June 2025
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The tariffs generally range from 7.5% to 25%, depending on the item.—
Ethan Karp,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Adjective
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Each version features flattering ruching at the midsection, thin straps for minimal tan lines, and dozens of colors to choose from.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Travel + Leisure,
30 June 2025
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But rather than spreading resources thin to cast a wide net that lightly lifts production across the board, policymakers should focus their energy on restoring the production capacity of sectors critical to national security and Americans' health.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lean. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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