LEANS Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

leans 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of lean

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

as in tends

to show a liking or proneness (for something) the family's diet leans toward greasy food

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in relies

to place reliance or trust you can always lean on me if you need help

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

leans

2 of 2

noun

plural of lean

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. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of leans

Verb

Director Margaret Shigeko Starbuck leans into makeshift theatricality — flashlights, pool noodles, pocket umbrellas — while a nimble ensemble balances meta-theatrical humor with genuine feeling for Pericles and his beleaguered family. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026 The scenery is beautiful, though the onboard entertainment leans into classic all-inclusive territory, complete with a digital saxophone performance, audience participation, and the inevitable Macarena throw down. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026 The menu leans Latin and Caribbean — arepas, arroz con pollo, chicharrón and plantain burgers — alongside New England and tropical IPAs, wheats, stouts and ambers. — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2026 If your personal style leans more boho chic, check out the Franca Vegan Sandal. — Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 4 Sep. 2026 The design scheme leans glossy and neutral, with beachy accents like pops of blue and natural wood throughout. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 3 Sep. 2026 If the pendulum leans a few degrees to the left or right, RoboBall steers left or right to match. — IEEE Spectrum, 3 Sep. 2026 Both Andreessen and Griffin rank among the top 20 of megadonors to the midterms, a group that leans heavily Republican, according to a report published by the New York Times on Friday. — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 31 Aug. 2026 Ask an American what a wellness vacation involves, and the answer leans toward cucumber water and a mud wrap. — Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Noun

The furniture and decor for your little one leans into that fleeting window of imagination, bringing color, whimsy, and playfulness to make their room feel unmistakably theirs. — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 31 Aug. 2026 Framed as an ensemble drama rather than the story of a single heroic whistleblower, the production compresses Ibsen’s plot, reimagines the ending and leans into satire without sacrificing moral bite. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Pendleton’s travel-ready design leans into that ritual with a roll-up board printed in one of the heritage brand’s iconic patterns, reversible wooden pieces, and a vegan leather pouch for toting it around. — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 8 Aug. 2026 The cocktail menu leans into the couple’s heritage with some Argentine staples, including the El Clásico of Fernet and Coke and El Diego, concocted with sweet vermouth, Coke and a splash of whiskey. — Rick West, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026 In winter, the adults-only retreat leans into its cozy side, inviting guests to curl up by the fireplace, book a spa treatment, and embrace the slower pace of mountain life. — Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 20 July 2026 The Glamaker Puff-sleeve Blouse leans into that shift with its mix of eyelet and lace detailing, plus a subtle puff sleeve that adds shape without feeling overdone. — Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2026 But this version of Zorro leans instead into broad comedy and an even broader vintage aesthetic including day-for-night shooting and a general soft-focus haze. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2026 Cassetta leans toward the rational. — The Editors, Robb Report, 27 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for leans

Verb

Pelvic tilts When instructed to stay in one place, our pelvis, seeking comfort, can tilt itself into an anterior (towards the front of your body) or posterior (towards the back of your body) position.

— Sophia Dyer, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Aug. 2026
This piece then dramatically tilts down joining the rest of the track before the ride car rockets down the vertical drop.

— Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of tilts

Verb

Much of Amazon’s public defense relies on an assertion that its ad prices haven’t risen significantly.

— Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 1 Sep. 2026
The company relies heavily on outside financing from partners for its data center campuses, and hasn't yet generated any revenue from that portion of its business, according to the SEC filing.

— CJ Haddad, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of relies

Noun

Cows amble in the distance along the inclines of meadows; their grazing helps control invasive plants.

— Kalpana Mohan, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026
Bert McCarty, a Clemson University professor of turfgrass science and management, said golfers like how top courses are so different — from incorporating the ocean in places near beaches to relying on inclines in the mountains.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of inclines

Verb

In rivers and streams in Virginia and Maryland, Hack measured the length of each stream and the area of the land that slopes toward that stream and therefore drains into it, called its basin or drainage area.

— Natalie Wolchover, Quanta Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026
Depending on the excursion’s stops, snorkelers might float above patch reefs or explore the channels between spur-and-groove coral formations as the reef slopes into deeper water.

— Sarah Bruning, Travel + Leisure, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of slopes

Verb

The South Shore & South Bend also depends on being able to switch freight freely among all railroads operating on the Chicago network, Gilbertson said, and this could be adversely affected if the industry gets more concentrated.

— John Lippert, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
There isn’t one hiring season The timing also depends heavily on the kind of job someone is looking for.

— Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of depends

Noun

Putin will eventually leave office, whether by death, illness, or—against all observable inclinations—stepping aside.

— Julian G. Waller, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026
People with gene variants that affect these inclinations may also be at a higher risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes, researchers found.

— Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 28 July 2026