lean 1 of 3

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

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3

lean

2 of 3

adjective

lean

3 of 3

noun

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective lean contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of lean are gaunt, lanky, lank, rawboned, scrawny, skinny, and spare. While all these words mean "thin because of an absence of excess flesh," lean stresses lack of fat and of curving contours.

a lean racehorse

When is gaunt a more appropriate choice than lean?

The words gaunt and lean can be used in similar contexts, but gaunt implies marked thinness or emaciation as from overwork or suffering.

a prisoner's gaunt face

When is it sensible to use lank instead of lean?

The words lank and lean are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, lank implies tallness as well as leanness.

the lank legs of the heron

When would lanky be a good substitute for lean?

The synonyms lanky and lean are sometimes interchangeable, but lanky suggests awkwardness and loose-jointedness as well as thinness.

a lanky youth, all arms and legs

In what contexts can rawboned take the place of lean?

The meanings of rawboned and lean largely overlap; however, rawboned suggests a large ungainly build without implying undernourishment.

a rawboned farmer

How do scrawny and skinny relate to one another, in the sense of lean?

Both scrawny and skinny imply an extreme leanness that suggests deficient strength and vitality.

a scrawny chicken
skinny street urchins

When could spare be used to replace lean?

While the synonyms spare and lean are close in meaning, spare suggests leanness from abstemious living or constant exercise.

the gymnast's spare figure

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 lean
Verb
Still, their view has leaned more hawkish in their rate projection, with four members seeing no rate changes in 2025. Yun Li, CNBC, 19 Mar. 2025 Designers are leaning into contrast, pairing breezy fabrics with tailored precision while a muted yet playful color palette sets the tone. Jailynn Taylor, Essence, 19 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
  • 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
  • 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
Verb
  • Elite sprinters and athletes tend to retain muscle mass and mobility far longer than those who rely solely on endurance exercise.
    Jesse Pines, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Trending Stories When you are prepared, the episode argues again and again, things tend to work out better, even in impossible situations.
    Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Cate Mid-Rise Clover Ankle Skinny Jean Love it or hate it, skinny jeans are making a comeback.
    Melony Forcier, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • That’s either six or seven seasons away, depending on when during the start of his fourth decade Nacua (born May 29, 2001) decides to call it a career.
    Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Luckily, there are tons of affordable products that’ll assist you with that thin French tip.
    Kleigh Balugo, StyleCaster, 26 Mar. 2025
  • The market for starting pitchers will be thin, and teams will poke around the Giants’ rotation, especially if some of the minor-league arms are pitching well and deserve a trial in the majors.
    Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lean. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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