1
as in tilts
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 inclines
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 leans
Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2026
The approach leans toward enhancing natural features rather than dramatically altering them.
—Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 14 May 2026
The lineup leans into both legacy and local pride, with performances from Charlie Wilson, Mario, PJ Morton, Baltimore native Paula Campbell, and jazz artist Brandon Woody, among others.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 14 May 2026
Oalka Cargo Joggers If your travel style leans more active than aesthetic, these Oalka joggers are a no-brainer.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 14 May 2026
The hotel seems to cater to corporate guests, with design aesthetic that leans into dim daytime lighting and dark wooden furnishing—definitely more business than casual.
—Mike Jordan, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 May 2026
The show really leans into Logan’s crush on Hannah.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 13 May 2026
Like many beachside spots, The Beachcomber leans into crowd-pleasing California comfort grub, including coconut shrimp, fish tacos and hefty slices of chocolate cake.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 13 May 2026
The Ranch leans hard into fitness; Esalen and Expanding Light lean into philosophy and stillness.
—Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2026
Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 9 May 2026
The company’s public framing leans so heavily on markets as an early proving ground.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 8 May 2026
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
If home aesthetic leans minimalistic, this simple, soft quilt set may be your perfect bedding match.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2026
Whether your aesthetic leans more tailored or bohemian, traditional or minimalist, there’s a bouclé, velvet, or wood wingback bed that’s destined for your space.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 10 Apr. 2026
The official property listing leans into the rarity of the apartment’s layout and its position high above the city.
—David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Affia’s catalog leans into science fiction and fantasy stories centered on Black characters.
—Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Tronque’s formula harnesses green coffee and caffeine to help support skin elasticity, while Cyklar’s blend leans into barrier care with ceramides, urea, and squalane.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2026
Verb
The brand Jenner recommended, Baloo Living, leans into that imagery directly.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2026
The approach leans toward enhancing natural features rather than dramatically altering them.
—Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 14 May 2026
The lineup leans into both legacy and local pride, with performances from Charlie Wilson, Mario, PJ Morton, Baltimore native Paula Campbell, and jazz artist Brandon Woody, among others.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 14 May 2026
Oalka Cargo Joggers If your travel style leans more active than aesthetic, these Oalka joggers are a no-brainer.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 14 May 2026
The hotel seems to cater to corporate guests, with design aesthetic that leans into dim daytime lighting and dark wooden furnishing—definitely more business than casual.
—Mike Jordan, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 May 2026
The show really leans into Logan’s crush on Hannah.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 13 May 2026
Like many beachside spots, The Beachcomber leans into crowd-pleasing California comfort grub, including coconut shrimp, fish tacos and hefty slices of chocolate cake.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 13 May 2026
The Ranch leans hard into fitness; Esalen and Expanding Light lean into philosophy and stillness.
—Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2026
Noun
The Glamaker Puf-sleeve Blouse leans into that shift with its mix of eyelet and lace detailing, plus a subtle puff sleeve that adds shape without feeling overdone.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 9 May 2026
The company’s public framing leans so heavily on markets as an early proving ground.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 8 May 2026
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
If home aesthetic leans minimalistic, this simple, soft quilt set may be your perfect bedding match.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2026
Whether your aesthetic leans more tailored or bohemian, traditional or minimalist, there’s a bouclé, velvet, or wood wingback bed that’s destined for your space.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 10 Apr. 2026
The official property listing leans into the rarity of the apartment’s layout and its position high above the city.
—David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Affia’s catalog leans into science fiction and fantasy stories centered on Black characters.
—Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Tronque’s formula harnesses green coffee and caffeine to help support skin elasticity, while Cyklar’s blend leans into barrier care with ceramides, urea, and squalane.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leans
Verb
-
And two of the major chase scenes were designed so that what starts off as righteous somehow tilts toward being unjust.—
Joshua Rothkopf,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
-
The green tilts back and to the left.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
The argument for keeping an underperforming manager tends to centre on whether there were enough mitigating circumstances behind a bad season, and whether the club can use their summer to make the correct changes in player recruitment and wider infrastructure to fix things.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
The disease tends to progress rapidly.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Slot’s system relies heavily on wingers, but the ineffectiveness of both Salah and Cody Gakpo has been a real issue.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
However, Transnistria’s breakaway government relies heavily on Moscow and the region is home to a military base with 1,500 Russian troops.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
Be prepared for a few steep inclines (and, unfortunately, background traffic noise from a nearby road).—
Robert Annis,
Midwest Living,
16 May 2026
-
Roller coasters are defined as a ride with an elevated railway with sharp curves and steep inclines, but even roller coasters have tons of different subtypes based on what the tracks and support structures are made of (namely wooden or steel), how the riders are positioned, and the ride’s speed.—
Sara Kiley Watson,
Popular Science,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Safer travel can be found on lower-angle terrain, generally slopes less than 30 degrees, particularly in areas sheltered from the wind.—
Callie Zanandrie,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
One of my favorite choices is developing a dry creek bed that slopes away from a home's foundation.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Netanyahu, whose coalition government depends on support from Ben-Gvir’s far-right Jewish Power party, partially distanced himself from the incident.—
Nick Duffy,
NBC news,
20 May 2026
-
That the evolution of culture depends on who gets to walk through the door in the first place and what can be made in the future.—
Lilyanna D'Amato,
ARTnews.com,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
The ability to create offense individually, put pressure on the rim and set up stationary shooters — as much as such violates Kerr’s inclinations — have become necessary to beat good modern defenses.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
-
Who knew that such daring would lead to a film that avoids these inclinations entirely, especially one that could have so easily leaned into controversial territory?—
David Opie,
IndieWire,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leans. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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