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
David Weigel, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The play follows the true story of Dahl writing a book review in a right-leaning magazine that has been criticized for being antisemitic.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2025
Zack Meisel, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
Look for lean deli meats such as turkey breast, chicken breast, roast beef, and low-fat ham.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 15 Sep. 2025
Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 20 Aug. 2025
Or will 2025 unfold with a heavy lean to the right?
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lean
Verb
Trump administration members are going in a different direction, pressing for investigations of left-leaning groups that appear designed to intimidate, if not prosecute.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The play follows the true story of Dahl writing a book review in a right-leaning magazine that has been criticized for being antisemitic.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Somehow, here sit the Astros, in control of their own destiny in one of baseball’s leanest divisions.
—Zack Meisel, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
Look for lean deli meats such as turkey breast, chicken breast, roast beef, and low-fat ham.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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
Or will 2025 unfold with a heavy lean to the right?
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lean
Verb
-
Democrats nationwide have eyed similar efforts to counteract the opposition’s efforts to further tilt the balance of power in the lower chamber.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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That same year, Swin Cash, then with the New York Liberty, appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated, not in her uniform but in a bright red Michael Kors silk chiffon dress, head tilted back and lips slightly parted.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Just as Marxists fixate on economics, modern TV writers tend to obsess over interpersonal relationships and psychology.—
Will Collins,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Early mornings and late afternoons tend to have calmer waters and less boat traffic, making for better viewing conditions.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Instead of relying on the old way of doing things, see what the new has to offer and how to improve.—
Heather V. MacArthur,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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That's because lower interest rates make borrowing costs less burdensome, and smaller companies tend to have more debt and rely on bank funding than their larger, cash-rich counterparts.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Struggling to put on a pair of tight skinny jeans has become a thing of the past.—
Melody Kazel,
PEOPLE,
14 Sep. 2025
-
On a first-and-10 from the UC 34-yard line, Arnold took a shotgun snap and hit receiver Sean Lander on a skinny post for a 34-yard touchdown.—
Clark Fahrenthold,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Use jig and pigs 18 to 25 feet deep along brush piles or main lake points with a gradual slope.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Topography will remain the primary driver of growth, and active runs are likely where slope and wind align.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Seen previously on models like NZXT’s own H6 Flow and the more recent APNX V1, angled fan mounts like those on the H9 Flow RGB offer the best of both worlds.—
Thomas Soderstrom,
PC Magazine,
13 Sep. 2025
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They’re finished with a zip-and-button fly and angled side pockets.—
Jamie Allison Sanders,
PEOPLE,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The three celestial bodies will appear to be within a degree of each other, forming an almost perfect straight-line alignment for some and a tight triangle for others, depending on location.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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The lowest APRs are only available to the most qualified applicants, depending on credit profile and the state where the property is located, and those who also select ten year loan terms; APRs will be higher for other applicants and those who select longer loan terms.—
Kelsey Neubauer,
CNBC,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Vogue’s Favorite Gold Necklaces Featured in this article With an endless array of iterations—from thin, barely-there metallic strands to bolder, statement-making chains that instantly command attention—gold chain necklaces are some of the best gold jewelry pieces to add to your collection.—
Samantha Solomon,
Vogue,
18 Sep. 2025
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Maternal health remains under-researched compared to other therapeutic areas, and the pharmaceutical pipeline is thin—just 91 compounds in development, versus thousands for areas like neurology or dermatology.—
Shelley Stewart III,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lean. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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