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
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 5 June 2026
Gavin, 13 at the time, leans his head on Jackson’s shoulder and holds his hand.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2026
Those sorts of unexpected shifts are what make Vile’s brand of self-absorption so uniquely absorbing after all these years, even as Philadelphia leans into his familiar formula of ’70s-Neil ditch-digging filtered through ’80s-Springsteen production and stretched across ’90s-CD sprawl.
—Stuart Berman, Pitchfork, 4 June 2026
Truvaga leans into simplicity and precision with very short, on-demand handheld sessions.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2026
Bucket-List Trails in Canada, Australia and New Zealand Across the Atlantic and into the Southern Hemisphere, the list leans into remote wilderness and wide-open landscapes.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
The Cook Political Report has rated the Iowa gubernatorial race a tossup, one of five states with that distinction this year, and the University of Virginia's Center for Politics says the race leans red.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 3 June 2026
Politically, voter registration data suggests the district leans left, with 48% of voters registered as Democrat, 22% registered as Republican and 25% registered as no-party preference.
—Mona Darwish, Oc Register, 3 June 2026
The programming leans into the family angle, too.
—Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 June 2026
Cassie Gill, Travel + Leisure, 1 June 2026
Designed by London studio Interiors With Art, the aesthetic leans into understated Art Deco touches; sycamore wood panelling, Murano glass lighting, brushed gold accents, and a palette inspired by nearby Hyde Park in autumn.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 May 2026
Case in point is the Koala Bear, which embraces the roots of the small living movement and leans into its strength as a portable home for one or two modern nomads.
—Adam Williams
may 24, New Atlas, 24 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
Affia’s catalog leans into science fiction and fantasy stories centered on Black characters.
—Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
Each of their characters has their foibles but neither ever leans unlikable.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 5 June 2026
Gavin, 13 at the time, leans his head on Jackson’s shoulder and holds his hand.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2026
Those sorts of unexpected shifts are what make Vile’s brand of self-absorption so uniquely absorbing after all these years, even as Philadelphia leans into his familiar formula of ’70s-Neil ditch-digging filtered through ’80s-Springsteen production and stretched across ’90s-CD sprawl.
—Stuart Berman, Pitchfork, 4 June 2026
Truvaga leans into simplicity and precision with very short, on-demand handheld sessions.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2026
Bucket-List Trails in Canada, Australia and New Zealand Across the Atlantic and into the Southern Hemisphere, the list leans into remote wilderness and wide-open landscapes.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
The Cook Political Report has rated the Iowa gubernatorial race a tossup, one of five states with that distinction this year, and the University of Virginia's Center for Politics says the race leans red.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 3 June 2026
Politically, voter registration data suggests the district leans left, with 48% of voters registered as Democrat, 22% registered as Republican and 25% registered as no-party preference.
—Mona Darwish, Oc Register, 3 June 2026
The programming leans into the family angle, too.
—Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 June 2026
Noun
The scoop-neck cut leans into the minimalist 90s aesthetic and allows this piece to double as a bodysuit when worn under linen pants or silk shorts.
—Cassie Gill, Travel + Leisure, 1 June 2026
Designed by London studio Interiors With Art, the aesthetic leans into understated Art Deco touches; sycamore wood panelling, Murano glass lighting, brushed gold accents, and a palette inspired by nearby Hyde Park in autumn.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 May 2026
Case in point is the Koala Bear, which embraces the roots of the small living movement and leans into its strength as a portable home for one or two modern nomads.
—Adam Williams
may 24, New Atlas, 24 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
Affia’s catalog leans into science fiction and fantasy stories centered on Black characters.
—Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leans
Verb
-
The coordination hubs within states will need to triage gaps in basic AI fluency, such as using AI for daily life, to more advanced AI proficiency that tilts more towards skill development for using AI at work or building AI systems and infrastructure.—
Shalin Jyotishi,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
-
The sturdy kickstand tilts through 90 degrees and it can be rotated to portrait mode and stand safely that way.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
Corzo Silver comes from Los Altos, in Jalisco’s red-soil highlands, where agave tends to yield sweeter, more floral distillates.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
-
Rainwater tends to gather along the road edges.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Momentum driven Rather than attempting to predict which sectors or themes will dominate, Brown said the strategy relies on the collective judgment of investors already voting with their dollars.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
30 May 2026
-
What’s odd is that, despite huge advances in satellites themselves, much of the physical infrastructure connecting those spacecraft to Earth still relies on large mechanically steered dishes, a model increasingly strained by the rise of massive low-Earth-orbit constellations.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
Unlike rigid, stiff hiking boots, these felt cloud-like and responsive with every stride, which is essential during the repetitive stress of Alpine descents and inclines.—
Nicolette Accardi,
Travel + Leisure,
30 May 2026
-
During certain portions of the race, competitors are forced to scramble on all fours while navigating steep inclines and narrow descents.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
25 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
-
Democrats asked whether that includes federal court orders, and Mullin responded that depends on whether a higher court overturns a ruling.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
-
All depends on voters approving a tax hike of around 4 cents on a $10 purchase to help finance passenger rail service.—
Bruce Finley,
Denver Post,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Born to a humble family in the twilight years of the shogunate, Higuchi Natsuko (as she was born) was the fourth child and second daughter of a man with scholarly inclinations, who as a farmer had come to the capital to seek both fortune and rank.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 May 2026
-
Over the last week or so, the four satellites adjusted their inclinations—the angles of their orbits to the equator—by less than a degree.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leans. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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