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
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Recent Examples of leans
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 June 2026
During that time, the former couple presumably learned a thing or two about each other, like the hyper-confessional style of writing Allen leans toward in her music.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 10 June 2026
One that leans toward the latter category is President’s Choice, a whiskey collector’s favorite that includes single barrel expressions of bourbon and rye whiskey.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 10 June 2026
The episode met with an enthusiastic response from the Taormina audience with squeals of disgust when Aemond seemingly leans into kiss his mother on the lips; as well as cheers, shocked screams and collective gasps as characters fought to the death, sometimes triumphing and sometimes not.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 10 June 2026
Meanwhile, the Miner’s Treehouse leans into Colorado’s history, with a rich, moody aesthetic.
—Brittany Anas, Denver Post, 10 June 2026
The comfort food leans heavily on paprika, and the nightlife stretches well past sunrise.
—Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2026
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
Tanya Edwards, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 June 2026
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
Verb
With a full hydrotherapy circuit, including a steam room, sauna, cold plunge, and hot tub, there are 21 treatment rooms, and the program here leans heavily into massage rituals and facials.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 June 2026
During that time, the former couple presumably learned a thing or two about each other, like the hyper-confessional style of writing Allen leans toward in her music.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 10 June 2026
One that leans toward the latter category is President’s Choice, a whiskey collector’s favorite that includes single barrel expressions of bourbon and rye whiskey.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 10 June 2026
The episode met with an enthusiastic response from the Taormina audience with squeals of disgust when Aemond seemingly leans into kiss his mother on the lips; as well as cheers, shocked screams and collective gasps as characters fought to the death, sometimes triumphing and sometimes not.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 10 June 2026
Meanwhile, the Miner’s Treehouse leans into Colorado’s history, with a rich, moody aesthetic.
—Brittany Anas, Denver Post, 10 June 2026
The comfort food leans heavily on paprika, and the nightlife stretches well past sunrise.
—Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2026
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
Noun
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leans
Verb
-
After that, the platform holding the train of riders tilts the entire coaster into a 90-degree vertical position, forcing the riders to look straight down.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
-
Described by the park as a record-breaking attraction, Siren's Curse tilts riders at a 90-degree angle, holding them vertically as the track locks into place before the first drop.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Johnson was diagnosed in February 2021 with triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive type of the disease that tends to grow quickly and spread to other parts of the body.—
Kaitlin Sullivan,
NBC news,
11 Dec. 2025
-
Rainwater tends to gather along the road edges.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
These new celestial discoveries represent the first findings from OASIS (Observing Accelerators with SCExAO Imaging Survey), a program that relies on the Subaru Telescope, as well as data from other sources.—
Julian Dossett,
Space.com,
8 Dec. 2025
-
Google relies mostly on search, advertising and cloud services for its revenue, so hardware products like smart glasses are not going to make or break the nearly $4 trillion tech juggernaut.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
8 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
According to the project team, Pemba walked independently on sections of terrain with inclines of less than 30 degrees.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
8 June 2026
-
This two-lane highway runs parallel to the Rio Grande and is filled with mountain views, steep inclines, and dramatic switchbacks.—
Gabi De la Rosa,
Travel + Leisure,
7 June 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
-
Low fence markers can be seen outlining the building zone along Route 2, which slopes along open land, wooded patches and some ravines.—
Anna Ortiz,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The deeper resonance depends on each person’s particular context.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
11 June 2026
-
Your exact tax bill depends on your income, holding period and whether any additional taxes, such as the Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT), apply.—
Faith Wakefield,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
After docking, the two satellites performed orbital-plane change maneuvers to reduce their orbital inclinations, a SpaceNews report explains.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Dec. 2025
-
Water also laps at the edges of the two standout tales, both bravura examples of Langan’s professorial, experimental inclinations.—
Emma Alpern,
Vulture,
2 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Leans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leans. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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