leans 1 of 2

present tense third-person singular of lean
1
as in tilts
to set or cause to be at an angle just lean the ladder against the tree and climb up it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in tends
to show a liking or proneness (for something) the family's diet leans toward greasy food

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3

leans

2 of 2

noun

plural of lean
as in inclines
the degree to which something rises up from a position level with the horizon the wall has enough of a lean that we can't set a bookcase against it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of leans
Verb
Venus and Mars – Paul McCartney & Wings On Venus and Mars, Paul McCartney leans into pop maximalism, creating an album that’s equal parts stadium-ready bombast and off-kilter whimsy. Darryn King, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025 The Wisconsin Supreme Court election is on April 1, and the contest for the seat of retiring Justice Ann Walsh Bradley is technically a nonpartisan race, though whoever wins the seat will help determine the ideological bent of the court -- which currently leans liberal. Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 14 Mar. 2025 Despite these harrowing statistics, the local sentiment leans heavily toward resilience. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025 Gene Simmons leans toward the camera and holds his hand sideways. Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2025 The marketing leans into that more than the movie does. Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2025 The actress, seated in a chair directly behind the rig, leans over the prosthetic so that her body aligns with the pregnant belly. Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025 The type of moviegoer who leans over to ask their seat mate what’s happening will be lost almost immediately. Katie Rife, IndieWire, 12 Mar. 2025 So Mansory leans into it, adding more jarring sharp edges to its already boxy body. New Atlas, 12 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leans
Verb
  • The World Bank, for example, needs economic metrics, the WHO relies on public health statistics, and environmental agencies require data on carbon emissions.
    Allison Carnegie, Foreign Affairs, 24 Dec. 2024
  • The tracker relies on radar technology and satellites to keep tabs on Santa, according to NORAD, which notes those methods are the same ones the agency employs to protect skies over North America.
    Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Treatment depends on identifying the cause.
    Mark Gurarie, Health, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Treatment depends on the underlying cause and individual case.
    Mark Gurarie, Health, 16 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • For fashion cognoscenti this is a refreshing departure from quiet luxury inclinations–and and overdue return into the arms of maximalism.
    Bianca Salonga, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Walker Wear was bred from these inclinations–and its take-off was historic.
    Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 19 Mar. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Leans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leans. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on leans

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!