LEAN Synonyms: 158 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

lean 1 of 3

verb

ˈlēn

Definition of lean next

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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Relevance

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as in to tend

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

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as in to rely

to place reliance or trust you can always lean on me if you need help

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lean

2 of 3

adjective

as in skinny

having a noticeably small amount of body fat all of the marathoners are extremely lean

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

The crime that such people have committed is working in industries where people tend to lean left or vote Democratic. —

Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025 Above average temperatures: Areas where temperatures are expected to at least lean above average include much of the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Southeast and Southwest. —

Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025

Adjective

More food meant more nutrition, which meant more fat to cover us as insurance against lean times. —

Daniel Seifert, JSTOR Daily, 5 Feb. 2025 Adequate protein intake through foods like lean meats, fish, and legumes are vital as nails are made of keratin, which is a protein. —

Jamie Wilson, Glamour, 29 Jan. 2025

Noun

And while competitive, Virginia presently has a blue lean: Outgoing Vice President Kamala Harris carried it by just shy of 6 points while President-elect Donald Trump won nationally by about 1.5 points. —

Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 6 Jan. 2025 In essence, Miami Moon is a rock record, but with a lean toward the Latin rock and jazz fusion stylings of Santana and War. —

Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 30 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lean

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lean

Verb

During the March equinox, the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere receive roughly the same amount of sunlight since neither hemisphere is tilted more toward or away from the sun, the almanac said.

— Hannah Poukish, Sacramento Bee, 12 Feb. 2025
This is because the moon's orbit is tilted about five degrees relative to Earth's path around the sun, which means the sun, Earth and moon won't line up perfectly this time.

— Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 12 Feb. 2025