leans 1 of 2

present tense third-person singular of lean
1
as in tilts
to set or cause to be at an angle just lean the ladder against the tree and climb up it

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Relevance

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2
as in tends
to show a liking or proneness (for something) the family's diet leans toward greasy food

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3

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

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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
Espada seeks every late-game advantage and leans hard on his most dependable players to provide it. Chandler Rome, New York Times, 4 July 2026 This look leans more subdued and boho with its all-black layers and accessories, but feel free to experiment with contrasting tones and more color for a bolder result. Katherine J Igoe, InStyle, 2 July 2026 The category leans heavy on alpha and beta hydroxy acids, the same actives doing the work on your face just packaged for bigger surface area. Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2026 This task on the story leans heavy on mistaken identity jokes and some of them land better than others. Rick Ellis, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 This month’s roundup leans into a mix of upscale and comfort. Melissa Oyler, Charlotte Observer, 30 June 2026 The Krossa shelf leans Scandi (like most of Article’s designs), while keeping functionality at the forefront of its design. Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 30 June 2026 Out of the box, they are set to the Soundcore Signature tuning, which leans toward a bass-forward sound. Christian De Looper, PC Magazine, 30 June 2026 Season 5 leans into the series’ best qualities, trusting its cast of breakout stars to turn a relatively simple meal into an indelible final course. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 25 June 2026
Noun
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 From the cozy Kringle Kitchen room to the rustic Country Christmas displays, each section caters to a different decorating style, whether your aesthetic leans classic, whimsical, or over-the-top festive. Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 12 June 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leans
Verb
  • Files, buffers, cuticle tools and even gel systems can last for months or years with proper care, which means the math tilts in favor of DIY after just a few uses.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2026
  • Your 11th House of Friends tilts against routines as the instinctive Moon forms a quincunx to passionate Mars in your 6th House of Work.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • Iga Świątek, last year’s women’s champion and a master of the slide, tends to avoid it on grass.
    Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 3 July 2026
  • Reality tends to offer less stylish and cinematic ends for its protagonists.
    Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 3 July 2026
Verb
  • The group’s other output has been meager, with few launches and substantial backlash from design experts, who argue that the team relies too heavily on AI and has failed to test sites for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
    Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 30 June 2026
  • Location history relies on a variety of sources of data that can include cell tower location, cellphone connections to Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth sources, and cellular data sent via cell tower.
    Anne Toomey McKenna, The Conversation, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • The riverfront includes steep inclines, large rocks and uneven ground that can be difficult for workers or machinery to manage safely.
    Sophia Buonpane, Kansas City Star, 29 June 2026
  • Combat travel stiffness with simple SITS exercises (shoulder shrugs, inclines, twists, steps) and consider chiropractic care before and after your trip for spinal alignment.
    Sherry McAllister, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • Because its site slopes steeply, the house has upstairs and downstairs entrances.
    Dean Kaufman, Curbed, 30 June 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, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • From there, the workup depends on what a doctor finds.
    Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 25 June 2026
  • The results showed that under specific conditions, the generation of free electric charges in the active layer of the solar cell depends heavily on the electric field in the organic semiconductor material.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 24 June 2026
Noun
  • Getty Choosing a college major has always been a big life decision, influenced by not only personal inclinations and talents, but also by starting salaries.
    Courtney Connley-Hampton, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • There were inclinations to not fully believe in their capabilities against Argentina.
    Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 4 June 2026

Cite this Entry

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

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