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
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
-
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
-
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
Verb
-
Rainwater tends to gather along the road edges.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
14 June 2026
-
This group tends to be more pro-European than the population as a whole.—
Anand Menon,
Time,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Much of his business relies on workers from India, which is home to 73% of H-1B visa holders, according to 2023 numbers from the Pew Research Center.—
Shanelle Kaul,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
-
To operate independently, the robot relies on an advanced perception system.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
13 June 2026
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
-
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
-
The deeper resonance depends on each person’s particular context.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
11 June 2026
-
To succeed, Democrats must now demonstrate that, despite the costs, America’s security at home depends on its influence abroad; shaping foreign policy around traditional values benefits Americans; and respecting alliances is a source of strength.—
Missy Ryan,
The Atlantic,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
There were inclinations to not fully believe in their capabilities against Argentina.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
4 June 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Leans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leans. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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