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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.

Meal one: Something saucy, a little elegant Early in the week, I like to lean into moisture — something that coaxes the chicken back to life in a way that feels intentional, not remedial.

From Salon • Apr. 26, 2026

In previous years, when the economy got tougher, Best Buy could lean on its Geek Squad tech assistants to set itself apart from rivals.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 25, 2026

"I felt like I could lean into my personality, being online and in the social media world," she says.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

He stuck with it through the lean years.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

Her voice came so low, I had to lean forward against the dark doorframe a bit so I’d catch it.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan

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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