Definitions

leaner

[lee-ner] / ˈli nər /

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

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.

Appeared in the October 1, 2025, print edition as 'Oil Giants Set Path To Get Leaner'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 30, 2025

Leaner, more complex, and richly flavorful, this bone-in beauty brings that dramatic presentation with a little extra edge.

From Salon • Apr. 18, 2025

They noted that the economy had shrunk in early 2022 because of factors unrelated to its underlying health: Leaner business inventories and a surge in imports, which widened the U.S. trade deficit.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 28, 2023

Leaner staffs and a labor shortage have multiplied workloads.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 5, 2022

Someone had made the decision to put the dead in the Leaner.

From "The Kill Order (Maze Runner, Book Four; Origin)" by James Dashner