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Definitions

lean

[leen] / lin /
ADJECTIVE
bare, thin
Synonyms
STRONGEST
angular gangly gaunt lanky rangy sinewy skinny slender slim sparse svelte wiry
STRONG
barren emaciated haggard poor scanty shadow spare stick stilt wasted worn
WEAK
beanpole bony gangling inadequate infertile lank meager no fat pitiful rawboned scraggy scrawny stringy sylphlike twiggy unfruitful unproductive wizened
Antonyms
STRONGEST
chubby fat heavy plump thick
STRONG
fertile fresh strong
VERB
bend, angle toward
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bow drift incline nod prop recline slant tilt tip twist veer
STRONG
beetle cant careen curve decline deflect dip divert droop heel jut list overhang pitch place repose rest roll sag sheer sink slope turn
WEAK
be off be slanted fasten on hang on put weight on rest on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
straighten
STRONG
ascend rise
VERB
be disposed
Synonyms
STRONGEST
incline prefer tend
STRONG
favor look
WEAK
be prone be willing gravitate toward have propensity not mind
Antonyms
WEAK
dislike disregard forget not like
VERB
count, depend on
Synonyms
STRONG
confide rely trust
WEAK
bank on believe in bet bottom dollar bet on gamble on have faith hinge on lay money on put faith in
Antonyms
STRONG
distrust keep
WEAK
dislike disregard forget not like straighten

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Their own supporters have started to lean into this ability and cheer corners, while set-piece coach Nicolas Jover has a mural outside the Emirates.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

Reopening Hormuz gives markets a “credible reason” to lean more positively in the near term, Green told MarketWatch.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 17, 2026

The two stocks have traditionally been treated as safe havens in lean times, so the size of the discounts is unusual.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

Like Pennsylvania, it’s effectively two states in one: densely populated, with highly-educated urban and suburban regions alongside vast rural areas that lean heavily conservative.

From Salon • Apr. 15, 2026

I lean down to find a container of leftover bofrot balls.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer

Vocabulary lists containing lean

"Joyas Voladoras" by Brian Doyle

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Unit 2: Pivotal Words and Phrases

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Paltry Parlance: Synonyms for "Few"

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