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 memo imposed a timetable: Within 18 months, the group would be leaner, more focused, and all brands back to growth.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Investors like the idea of a business using technology to run leaner.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

What’s more, Dow is looking to get leaner, targeting $2 billion in profit improvement by cutting jobs, shedding underperforming assets, and investing in new products.

From Barron's • Mar. 12, 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

Alternatively, hunters may have caught and ‘adopted’ a lamb, fattening it during the months of plenty and slaughtering it in the leaner season.

From "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari