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.

Years of absorbing shocks have left companies leaner and more adaptable, like an athlete in peak training rather than one running on fumes, said Sheets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

Boosted by powerful new artificial-intelligence tools, Silicon Valley startups are running leaner than ever, spawning new benchmarks like revenue-per-employee and even talk of the billion-dollar, one-person company.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 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

“We believe Warsh’s communication style could be leaner and less scripted than that of previous chairs,” said Anthony Saglimbene, chief market strategist at Ameriprise.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 3, 2026

She liked to wear a well-worn thrift - shop leather aviator jacket and black jeans, otherwise, smart dark suits tailored to make her look leaner than she was.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee