leaned

past tense of lean
1
2
as in tended
to show a liking or proneness (for something) the family's diet leans toward greasy food

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3

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 leaned Democrats, who leaned heavily on small-dollar fundraising in recent election cycles, warned the decision would further expand the influence of megadonors and wealthy political networks in federal campaigns. David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 4 July 2026 The festival positions itself as the major platform for German film and filmmakers, but has also leaned heavily into co-production and expanded its international output. Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 3 July 2026 During this period, qualifying borrowers leaned heavily on the assurances of public officials, and coverage of those statements in the press, in order to assess what might happen to their tens of thousands of dollars in student loan debt. Paxton Honerkamp, CNBC, 2 July 2026 To navigate the darkness, Liu leaned heavily into both sports psychology and traditional therapy, including EMDR, a technique that helps people process traumatic experiences. Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 Dan Le Batard leaned heavily into similar commentary and saw ESPN's radio affiliate count dramatically shrink during his tenure. Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026 The Duchess of Edinburgh, who is married to Prince Edward, leaned into the agricultural theme of the festival with a boho look. Lara Walsh, InStyle, 1 July 2026 Mix High and Low Working within the family’s somewhat limited budget, Wood leaned heavily on affordable materials, with a few splurges thrown in. Rory Evans, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 July 2026 This wasn't the first time Haaland has leaned into American culture. Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaned
Verb
  • The Cubs traded a Class-A first baseman, Cole Mathis, from a farm system heavily tilted toward hitting prospects.
    Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 1 July 2026
  • The famous rings are now tilted some 9 degrees toward Earth, once again making this planet a showpiece for telescopic observation.
    Joe Rao, Space.com, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • And the use of microbial enrichment tended to increase above-ground biomass in native broadleaf woodland areas by 13% after four years, with the greatest benefits seen in the first year after planting.
    Jamie Hailstone, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • Historically, countries that have aggressively adopted automation have tended toward lower unemployment, not higher.
    Amanda McMaster, Fortune, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • The southpaw relied on his changeup to record 33 swings and seven whiffs, per Baseball Savant.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026
  • Fewer taxpayers relied on the program compared to the IRS’s Streamlined Offshore Procedures.
    Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • Most lawns are sloped to create clear drainage paths away from the home.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 16 June 2026
  • But the fields that sloped toward the turquoise sea weren’t about to be cultivated with the vines of Merlot grapes or Regona cider apple trees or even acorns to be transmuted into jamón Ibérico.
    Tamar Adler, Vogue, 3 June 2026
Verb
  • The ruling upholds Illinois law, which allows mail-in ballots postmarked — or personally attested to — by Election Day to be counted up to two weeks afterward.
    Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026
  • The 5-4 ruling rejects a Republican challenge to voter law in California and 13 other states, where ballots received after Election Day may be counted if they are postmarked on Election Day or earlier.
    Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • Floor seating is flat, not angled, so a short child’s view depends almost entirely on the height of the crowd in front of them.
    Lauren Schuster, Sacbee.com, 29 June 2026
  • Floor seating is flat rather than angled, so a child’s view depends entirely on the height of whoever is standing in front of them.
    Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • American makers relied on unfinished movements imported from England, much as English makers themselves depended on highly specialized cottage industries.
    Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 3 July 2026
  • The beverage that fueled conversations that inspired America's fight for independence — centered on the ideals of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness — depended on enslavement.
    James Doubek, NPR, 3 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Leaned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaned. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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