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
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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
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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
Johna Burdeos, Health, 17 Mar. 2025
Whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains, are minimally processed and rich in essential nutrients, supporting overall health, according to the Global Wellness Institute.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
Nate Jones, Vulture, 8 Mar. 2025
Go Full-On Lady Who Lunches Many of these street style moments have a feminine lean, but this look from Jenny Walton (our vintage extraordinaire) goes full-on lady of leisure.
—Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 13 Feb. 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
Both chicken and turkey are great sources of lean protein, high in B vitamins and phosphorus.
—Johna Burdeos, Health, 17 Mar. 2025
Whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains, are minimally processed and rich in essential nutrients, supporting overall health, according to the Global Wellness Institute.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
Noun
The international lean was also responsible for the surprising results in the Shorts categories, where both the Animated and Live-Action winners overcame the Academy’s traditional preference for English-language nominees.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 8 Mar. 2025
Go Full-On Lady Who Lunches Many of these street style moments have a feminine lean, but this look from Jenny Walton (our vintage extraordinaire) goes full-on lady of leisure.
—Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lean
Verb
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The Earth is not tilted toward or away from the sun on the first day of fall as well, also called the autumnal equinox.—
Amanda Cappelli,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2025
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Earth experiences seasonal changes because its axis is tilted so different areas of the planet face the sun's direct rays through the year.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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While some people take supplements by the handful, nutrition experts tend to keep only a few key options in their medicine cabinets during the chillier months.—
Marley Hall,
Verywell Health,
2 Apr. 2025
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Maple bats tend to splinter regularly sending shards like projectiles into the stands, while birch bats are more durable.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
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While egg prices have stabilized this year, recalls like this can cause temporary disruptions for consumers who rely on liquid egg products as a grocery staple.—
Stephanie Gravalese,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
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Her organization relies on surviving families and departments to report the deaths to First H.E.L.P.—
Rosa Flores,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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After years of skinny jeans and wide-leg cuts taking over the market, the bootcut is having a renaissance, thanks partly to Kendrick Lamar wearing a pair during the halftime of Super Bowl LIX.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
20 Mar. 2025
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Ron Book, the Trust’s chairman — a 5-foot-8 septuagenarian, who that night sported ripped skinny jeans and designer blue sneakers — marched up to them.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
20 Mar. 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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Testers touted its thick heat-resistant handle, which didn’t require oven mitts to hold and is flat and angled rather than rounded, making for a more comfortable grip.—
Wilder Davies,
Bon Appétit,
18 Mar. 2025
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The eight feet by nine feet space had angled ceilings with no heat in the winter and no air conditioning in the summer, the stepson told police.—
Jonathan Limehouse,
USA TODAY,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Area median income changes depending on the number of people in a household.—
Nick Rosenberger,
Idaho Statesman,
26 Mar. 2025
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After all, any value change—positive or negative—can be good or bad, depending on what's happening in the industry, economy and financial markets.—
Catherine Brock,
Forbes.com,
26 Mar. 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.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Mar. 2025
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About a month after your peach tree blooms, thin out fruit.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lean. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.
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