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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of leans
Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2025
For council President Joe LaCava, whose District 1 includes La Jolla, an initial memo released last month leans more into resolving the budget woes than on specific projects in the La Jolla area.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
The design leans modern but warm, with fireplaces, natural stone, and big windows that frame the Wasatch Mountains.
—Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 7 Nov. 2025
The ratings group classifies 17 Republican Senate seats as solid Republican, with only two likely Republican and one as leans Republican.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Rodriguez is running in the 21st Assembly District, which is also leans more liberal after the 2024 adoption of new electoral maps.
—Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 6 Nov. 2025
The show leans into this offensive, problematic plot device without any self-awareness.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
As an independent moderate voter who leans left of center, I am frustrated by Democrats’ inability to unify behind a consistent, effective message.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 4 Nov. 2025
While both flavors share the same SPF actives and nourishing base, the Mint version delivers a refreshing, tingly finish from peppermint oil and menthol, while the Açai option leans sweeter with antioxidant-rich fruit extracts.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 25 Oct. 2025
Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 6 Oct. 2025
The color palette of Lounge’s fall 2025 collection leans into autumn with shades of tan, cherry, chocolate and black, showcased across a range of textures that include brushed alpaca, sculpted denim, and sheer fabrics.
—Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
Their latest installment leans into a moody, underground vibe — think poker tables, pool halls and old-school paperboy caps — while showcasing the company’s signature blend of contemporary and commercial styles.
—Sean Erwin, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2025
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
Verb
Tesla’s approach leans heavily on large-scale data, neural networks, and perception models honed on millions of driving hours.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2025
For council President Joe LaCava, whose District 1 includes La Jolla, an initial memo released last month leans more into resolving the budget woes than on specific projects in the La Jolla area.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
The design leans modern but warm, with fireplaces, natural stone, and big windows that frame the Wasatch Mountains.
—Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 7 Nov. 2025
The ratings group classifies 17 Republican Senate seats as solid Republican, with only two likely Republican and one as leans Republican.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Rodriguez is running in the 21st Assembly District, which is also leans more liberal after the 2024 adoption of new electoral maps.
—Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 6 Nov. 2025
The show leans into this offensive, problematic plot device without any self-awareness.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
As an independent moderate voter who leans left of center, I am frustrated by Democrats’ inability to unify behind a consistent, effective message.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 4 Nov. 2025
While both flavors share the same SPF actives and nourishing base, the Mint version delivers a refreshing, tingly finish from peppermint oil and menthol, while the Açai option leans sweeter with antioxidant-rich fruit extracts.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
Each October, the historic property leans into its spooky legacy with Halloween balls and themed events that pair perfectly with its Rocky Mountain setting.
—Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 6 Oct. 2025
The color palette of Lounge’s fall 2025 collection leans into autumn with shades of tan, cherry, chocolate and black, showcased across a range of textures that include brushed alpaca, sculpted denim, and sheer fabrics.
—Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
Their latest installment leans into a moody, underground vibe — think poker tables, pool halls and old-school paperboy caps — while showcasing the company’s signature blend of contemporary and commercial styles.
—Sean Erwin, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2025
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
-
That’s the matchup that tilts this pick for me.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
30 Oct. 2025
-
As the global luxury market tilts toward experience, identity, and geographic diversification, Chaar sees the Gulf as its next epicenter.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
And while the shoes’ combination of hypercritical foams and carbon fiber is primarily intended for race days, technology tends to trickle down to sneakers for everyday, recovery and tempo runs — creating a ripple effect across the marketplace.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Sleep quality tends to decline as people get older, becoming lighter, interrupted, shorter in duration, and less restorative.—
Jennifer Klump,
Verywell Health,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The facility is spurring an explosion of growth and development meant to serve businesses and workers at the new plant, all in the area of Phoenix that relies on the Colorado River.—
Austin Corona,
AZCentral.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
The 37-year-old runs a small home care company in her neighborhood and is training to be a phlebotomist, but still relies on food stamps to get by.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Several sections south of town offered up steep, short, rocky inclines that did not feel particularly rideable on a bike loaded with camping gear and five days of food and fuel.—
Shaun McKinnon,
AZCentral.com,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Most roads were nothing more than unpaved, gravel tracks with steep inclines, scary drop-offs, and switchback curves.—
Howard Walker,
Robb Report,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Meanwhile, seawater intrudes like an advancing army toward thicker ice, which rests on bedrock that slopes inward toward the bowl-like center of the continent.—
Evan Howell,
Quanta Magazine,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The color of the light depends on the type of gas and the amount of energy released.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
This is a kind of tribal affiliation that depends on an adversary.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Lin—whose early career at Zappos and mathematical inclinations molded him into an early backer of companies like Airbnb and DoorDash—has been at Sequoia since 2010.—
Allie Garfinkle,
Fortune,
4 Nov. 2025
-
For costume designer Nicky Smith, helping Robinson and Kanin deliver on the show’s eccentric potential meant working against her natural inclinations.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Leans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leans. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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