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.

The plucky startup has a chance to find its place in the market precisely because of its leaner operations, said 32-year-old Yun, who serves as chief operating officer.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

But his pre-season preparation was key in matching those demands this season, with the midfielder visibly leaner and stronger.

From BBC • Feb. 6, 2026

"It links Zhang and Liu's investigations as part of the efforts to professionalise the military and make it leaner to be effective to win wars," Lim told AFP.

From Barron's • Feb. 2, 2026

The company, which announced 13,000 job cuts in November, has gotten leaner and “will not settle for anything less than being the best,” he added.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 30, 2026

His hair had grown out longer and shaggier, and his face was leaner, so he looked less like an imp and more like one of those willowy elves in the fairy tales.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan