LEANS Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

leans 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of lean

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in tends

to show a liking or proneness (for something) the family's diet leans toward greasy food

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in relies

to place reliance or trust you can always lean on me if you need help

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

leans

2 of 2

noun

plural of lean

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

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 leans

Verb

Ask an American what a wellness vacation involves, and the answer leans toward cucumber water and a mud wrap. — Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Primary suite opens to garden The primary bedroom leans into indoor-outdoor living. — David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026 The premise places the film inside a debate that has moved rapidly from speculative fiction into everyday working life, but Lien’s approach leans away from techno-thriller territory. — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026 Cave Creek, a small, affluent town north of Phoenix, leans Republican by comparison. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026 The restaurant sits in an open-air, walkable, mixed-use development, and the design leans into that. — Alexis Benveniste, Architectural Digest, 27 Aug. 2026 And that’s largely because of how well the game leans into the uniqueness of the Star Wars universe, using its source material in nearly every narrative beat and gameplay mechanic. — Hayes Madsen, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026 For homeowners whose design style leans more contemporary, Kratz suggests pairing Grounded with chrome, black metal, and glass. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 26 Aug. 2026 The menu leans into comfort — thick, chewy dough, generous toppings and a sauce that’s been a local talking point for years. — Usa Today Network, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026

Noun

Framed as an ensemble drama rather than the story of a single heroic whistleblower, the production compresses Ibsen’s plot, reimagines the ending and leans into satire without sacrificing moral bite. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Pendleton’s travel-ready design leans into that ritual with a roll-up board printed in one of the heritage brand’s iconic patterns, reversible wooden pieces, and a vegan leather pouch for toting it around. — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 8 Aug. 2026 The cocktail menu leans into the couple’s heritage with some Argentine staples, including the El Clásico of Fernet and Coke and El Diego, concocted with sweet vermouth, Coke and a splash of whiskey. — Rick West, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026 In winter, the adults-only retreat leans into its cozy side, inviting guests to curl up by the fireplace, book a spa treatment, and embrace the slower pace of mountain life. — Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 20 July 2026 The Glamaker Puff-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, 4 July 2026 But this version of Zorro leans instead into broad comedy and an even broader vintage aesthetic including day-for-night shooting and a general soft-focus haze. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2026 Cassetta leans toward the rational. — The Editors, Robb Report, 27 June 2026 Inspired by Japanese listening bars, the cocktail menu leans into drinks made with iichiko (the highest grade of shochu, a barley liquor), Japanese whisky, and peppery shiso. — Tanya Edwards, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for leans

Verb

This piece then dramatically tilts down joining the rest of the track before the ride car rockets down the vertical drop.

— Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Simashev is excellent defensively and on retrievals and tilts the ice in his favor.

— Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of tilts

Verb

But in general, even a degree in the humanities and other non-STEM fields tends to result in higher incomes compared with those who never finished college.

— Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Aaronson pointed to the second law of thermodynamics, which states that entropy, a measure of disorder, tends to increase over time.

— Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of tends

Verb

Shah was sworn in in March on a promise to clean up national politics and address widespread grievances at the lack of opportunities for young people in Nepal, which relies on remittances sent home by migrant workers for around a quarter of its GDP.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
Florida, where the large population of gig workers, entrepreneurs and small business owners relies heavily on the federal health insurance marketplace, has become one of the nation’s most visible epicenters of that impact.

— Ali Swenson, Sun Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of relies

Noun

Cows amble in the distance along the inclines of meadows; their grazing helps control invasive plants.

— Kalpana Mohan, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026
Bert McCarty, a Clemson University professor of turfgrass science and management, said golfers like how top courses are so different — from incorporating the ocean in places near beaches to relying on inclines in the mountains.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of inclines

Verb

In rivers and streams in Virginia and Maryland, Hack measured the length of each stream and the area of the land that slopes toward that stream and therefore drains into it, called its basin or drainage area.

— Natalie Wolchover, Quanta Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026
Depending on the excursion’s stops, snorkelers might float above patch reefs or explore the channels between spur-and-groove coral formations as the reef slopes into deeper water.

— Sarah Bruning, Travel + Leisure, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of slopes

Verb

Exactly when to plant bulbs depends on the bulb variety and your actual growing location; however, that stretch between late summer and the beginning of autumn is too early to plant bulbs in most areas.

— Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 23 Aug. 2026
Cook said the impact of the content depends on how viewers are watching it.

— Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of depends

Noun

Putin will eventually leave office, whether by death, illness, or—against all observable inclinations—stepping aside.

— Julian G. Waller, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026
People with gene variants that affect these inclinations may also be at a higher risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes, researchers found.

— Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 28 July 2026