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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in relies
to place reliance or trust
you can always lean on me if you need help
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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.
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Recent Examples of leans
Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
The design leans rustic (give or take a couple of Togo chairs), with moss green paneling, tartan upholstery, and wood beams running throughout.
—Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 12 Sep. 2025
While the Vacation partnership runs through September, the bar program leans into these ever-changing temperatures with strategic year-round summer drinks like the Easy Breezy—Ford's Gin, Pisco, white grape, passion fruit and cucumber—vacation insurance in liquid form.
—Jenn Rice, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Flanagan's film leans into some of the hokey aspects of the story that Kubrick rejected in favor of a much colder sort of horror.
—James Grebey, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
That explains why Musk’s unprecedented $1 trillion pay package leans heavily on Optimus robots.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
With the era’s signature tapered legs and rich, warm wood tone, this bed frame leans distinctly mid-century while still being design-agnostic enough to shift with your kid’s evolving tastes.
—Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 11 Sep. 2025
The sound leans heavily on the lows but still keeps vocals and highs clear enough for everyday listening.
—Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2025
The film leans heavily into practical effects, with real fire used wherever feasible to amplify authenticity.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
The Mercer 41 sleeper sofa—made to fit two guests quite comfortably—channels a Bauhaus vibe with its metal frame, and the green corduroy upholstery leans into today’s penchant for all things ’70s.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 10 Sep. 2025
The tap or snap leans into Craig’s submission prowess.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
The Grammy Award-winning R&B singer and entrepreneur, who at times leans into pop, has been a mainstay in my household for years.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
After much cajoling and love, Wally finally leans forward to receive a kiss from her.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
The design leans rustic (give or take a couple of Togo chairs), with moss green paneling, tartan upholstery, and wood beams running throughout.
—Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 12 Sep. 2025
While the Vacation partnership runs through September, the bar program leans into these ever-changing temperatures with strategic year-round summer drinks like the Easy Breezy—Ford's Gin, Pisco, white grape, passion fruit and cucumber—vacation insurance in liquid form.
—Jenn Rice, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Flanagan's film leans into some of the hokey aspects of the story that Kubrick rejected in favor of a much colder sort of horror.
—James Grebey, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
That explains why Musk’s unprecedented $1 trillion pay package leans heavily on Optimus robots.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
With the era’s signature tapered legs and rich, warm wood tone, this bed frame leans distinctly mid-century while still being design-agnostic enough to shift with your kid’s evolving tastes.
—Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 11 Sep. 2025
The sound leans heavily on the lows but still keeps vocals and highs clear enough for everyday listening.
—Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2025
The film leans heavily into practical effects, with real fire used wherever feasible to amplify authenticity.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
The list that follows leans mostly toward dives with history, little gems that cater to a wider range of ages and offer more to the palate than cheap beer.
—The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
The Mercer 41 sleeper sofa—made to fit two guests quite comfortably—channels a Bauhaus vibe with its metal frame, and the green corduroy upholstery leans into today’s penchant for all things ’70s.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 10 Sep. 2025
The tap or snap leans into Craig’s submission prowess.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
The Grammy Award-winning R&B singer and entrepreneur, who at times leans into pop, has been a mainstay in my household for years.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leans
Verb
-
The balance between civilian authority and military might tilts ominously toward the latter.—
Tom Debley,
Mercury News,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Witnesses and lawmakers wrestled with NASA’s budget priorities, highlighting concern that the administration’s 2026 budget request tilts heavily toward exploration while slashing science programs.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
During this time of year, tropical activity tends to develop in the Caribbean or Gulf, rather than near Africa, which also complicates response efforts, Francis said.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Rainwater tends to stockpile on the edges of roads.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Dudek’s sister back in Saginaw, Ana Dudek, relies on Social Security disability benefits.—
Eli Hager,
ProPublica,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The system relies on two sets of Fresnel lenses, flat ultrathin structures similar to those in lighthouses.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
They are most commonly used to transport people and cargo up steep inclines.—
Catherine Nicholls,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The severity of a sprain depends on how much of a ligament is torn.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Seeing rings depends on the angle of their orbit, which can miss the star completely.—
Nola Taylor Tillman,
Space.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Ten 3,000 pound rocket burners hidden inside shoot flames 50 feet into the sky as steam rolls down its stony slopes.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The mural will be created using latex and aerosol paints on concrete and will be roughly 50 feet in length, reaching up to 20 feet in height on the main wall and 15 feet on each side of the creek slopes.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
While the corrupt scheme was well documented journalistically and much of the evidence is indicative, ultimately Argentina's Judiciary followed its political inclinations all the way to the top.—
Agustino Fontevecchia,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
-
The artist’s ability to straddle the line between tomboy inclinations and ultra-glam moments is what has always attracted me to her style.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Leans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leans. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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