1
as in to tilt
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 skinny
having a noticeably small amount of body fat
all of the marathoners are extremely lean
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in slope
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 lean
Keyla Vasconcellos, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Mullan, who leans roughly the same way, thinks one of Shankly’s greatest talents was knowing when to go big.
—Simon Hughes, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 2025
Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 31 Mar. 2025
But even in the lean times, Rockwell always found a way to pay for it.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 28 Mar. 2025
Michael-Shawn Dugar, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
Veering from the earnest sentimentality of its action-thriller predecessor, O’Connor’s leans into a more comedic register.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lean
Verb
The drink list leans heavily into rum and Latin spirits, delivering cocktails that hold their own against the fire and finesse of the kitchen.
—Keyla Vasconcellos, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Mullan, who leans roughly the same way, thinks one of Shankly’s greatest talents was knowing when to go big.
—Simon Hughes, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
When building or updating a home, lean into timeless and traditional elements.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 31 Mar. 2025
But even in the lean times, Rockwell always found a way to pay for it.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
The on-field product ended up looking like a mixture of those two messages, with a lean toward the latter.
—Michael-Shawn Dugar, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
Veering from the earnest sentimentality of its action-thriller predecessor, O’Connor’s leans into a more comedic register.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lean
Verb
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Neck Stretch: Slowly tilt your head toward one shoulder, holding for a few seconds, then switch to the other side.—
Judy Koutsky,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
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The findings could shine a light on the origin of the planet's strange magnetic field, and why it is tilted.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Research suggests that a low-fiber diet and other food sensitivities tend to trigger constipation in IBS-C.8 Risk Factors Some factors may make developing this digestive disorder more likely.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Health,
2 Apr. 2025
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Jha highlighted that in the absence of any strict contractual prohibitions mentioned in the licensing agreements between the streamer and creator, platforms tend to exercise their own editorial discretion.—
Viren Naidu,
IndieWire,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In the meantime, the Kings will look to rely on Keon Ellis, Devin Carter, and Markelle Fultz in the backcourt.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Apr. 2025
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Yet the case stands to influence legal challenges to the Liberation Day tariffs, too, because the President relied on the same mechanism for both the earlier and more recent tariff announcements, declaring a national emergency under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, of 1977.—
Cristian Farias,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The TikTok comments were replete with speculation that the friends may have even been skinny dipping—though Horton declined to confirm this.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
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As an elder millennial, that meant skinny jeans — the hallmark of my generation.—
Kayla Kitts,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In a video shared on the official Audi FIS World Cup Instagram, Vonn is seen pumping her fists in the air and cheering along with the crowd in celebration after completing her race at the bottom of the slopes in Sun Valley.—
Escher Walcott,
People.com,
24 Mar. 2025
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Even better: add a few days to your itinerary for visiting a wine region, like Lavaux, which has spectacular terraced slopes overlooking Lake Geneva.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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They’re designed with a push-button lid and angled spout that prevent spills.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2025
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At 33-41, the Heat — winners of four straight — are angling to move up from the No. 10 seed in the East, with the play-in tournament approaching.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
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One’s interest in any of these answers depends on a tolerance for corn and patience until the musical numbers.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
8 Apr. 2025
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In the current political climate, the future of LGBTQ+ inclusion at work depends on bold leadership.—
Adrien Gaubert,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2025
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The Land-Dweller comes in 36 mm and 40 mm sizes, both just 9.7 mm thin.—
Steven Rogers,
Robb Report,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lean. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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