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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
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Recent Examples of leans
Tori Latham, Robb Report, 30 Apr. 2026
On her new album, though, this once-and-future country queen leans back into the twangier sounds of her earliest releases to bring the spirit of her home state into focus.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 30 Apr. 2026
That’s unacceptable — regardless of whether the state leans Democrat or Republican.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
While a storyline about Andy’s crappy apartment still stands, the final film instead leans into her spending time at her old friend Lily’s (Tracie Thoms) place, a dynamic that hearkens back to the 2006 original.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 30 Apr. 2026
Viking leans heavily into how guests experience The Hangar, Viking’s in-ship marina, where military-grade Special Operations Boats glide straight from the ship into the lake like a secret escape route.
—Malika Bowling, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
The result is that the listener leans closer—we are primed for revelation, ready to marvel.
—Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 29 Apr. 2026
Likewise, the score by Tony Doogan leans too heavily on generic electronic thuds, the kind that segue into a commercial break cliffhanger and an ad for blood pressure medicine.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
The service The service leans toward the more low-key end of the scale, with staff who are friendly and ready to offer suggestions and make reservations.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2026
Whether your aesthetic leans more tailored or bohemian, traditional or minimalist, there’s a bouclé, velvet, or wood wingback bed that’s destined for your space.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 10 Apr. 2026
The official property listing leans into the rarity of the apartment’s layout and its position high above the city.
—David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Affia’s catalog leans into science fiction and fantasy stories centered on Black characters.
—Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Tronque’s formula harnesses green coffee and caffeine to help support skin elasticity, while Cyklar’s blend leans into barrier care with ceramides, urea, and squalane.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2026
Even if Project Hail Mary at times leans into the sentiment to an almost saccharine degree, the movie’s natural sweetness is disarming.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
No one is competing for attention—the aesthetic leans East Coast understated luxury, with linen sets, oversized sun hats, and Hermès slides rather than logo-forward designer pieces—but most guests dress just polished enough to match the surrounding setting.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Feb. 2026
Compared to traditional date-night cuisine, Hart’s limited menu leans into pungent ingredients like anchovies, garlic and blue cheese.
—Julian Torres, CNN Money, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
The current decor leans a bit old-school, with floral drapery and decorative wallpaper, but the new owners could update it to their own tastes.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 30 Apr. 2026
On her new album, though, this once-and-future country queen leans back into the twangier sounds of her earliest releases to bring the spirit of her home state into focus.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 30 Apr. 2026
That’s unacceptable — regardless of whether the state leans Democrat or Republican.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
While a storyline about Andy’s crappy apartment still stands, the final film instead leans into her spending time at her old friend Lily’s (Tracie Thoms) place, a dynamic that hearkens back to the 2006 original.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 30 Apr. 2026
Viking leans heavily into how guests experience The Hangar, Viking’s in-ship marina, where military-grade Special Operations Boats glide straight from the ship into the lake like a secret escape route.
—Malika Bowling, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
The result is that the listener leans closer—we are primed for revelation, ready to marvel.
—Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 29 Apr. 2026
Likewise, the score by Tony Doogan leans too heavily on generic electronic thuds, the kind that segue into a commercial break cliffhanger and an ad for blood pressure medicine.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
The service The service leans toward the more low-key end of the scale, with staff who are friendly and ready to offer suggestions and make reservations.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
If home aesthetic leans minimalistic, this simple, soft quilt set may be your perfect bedding match.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2026
Whether your aesthetic leans more tailored or bohemian, traditional or minimalist, there’s a bouclé, velvet, or wood wingback bed that’s destined for your space.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 10 Apr. 2026
The official property listing leans into the rarity of the apartment’s layout and its position high above the city.
—David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Affia’s catalog leans into science fiction and fantasy stories centered on Black characters.
—Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Tronque’s formula harnesses green coffee and caffeine to help support skin elasticity, while Cyklar’s blend leans into barrier care with ceramides, urea, and squalane.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2026
Even if Project Hail Mary at times leans into the sentiment to an almost saccharine degree, the movie’s natural sweetness is disarming.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
No one is competing for attention—the aesthetic leans East Coast understated luxury, with linen sets, oversized sun hats, and Hermès slides rather than logo-forward designer pieces—but most guests dress just polished enough to match the surrounding setting.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Feb. 2026
Compared to traditional date-night cuisine, Hart’s limited menu leans into pungent ingredients like anchovies, garlic and blue cheese.
—Julian Torres, CNN Money, 14 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leans
Verb
-
The map eliminates four Democrat-leaning districts, including one Hispanic majority district in Central Florida, and tilts the balance of the Florida delegation even more red.—
Jeffrey Schweers,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
-
About 1 in 6 households nationwide has a net worth above $1 million, and, because the occasional billionaire tilts the scale, the average American family has passed that seven-figure benchmark.—
Matthew Lynn,
Washington Post,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But Ohm later relates his story, meant to finish up a trilogy, to Fiona (Florence Ordesh), who tends bar at the Bilberry Woods Hotel in Ireland, where the author has traveled to spread his parents’ ashes.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
-
Social Security helps, but for most people, those benefits won't come close to covering the full cost of living comfortably, and that gap tends to widen the longer retirement lasts.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Rather than focusing only on oil prices, which have been extremely volatile this year, investors may be looking toward infrastructure that the world relies on to move energy commodities.—
Krysta Escobar,
CNBC,
25 Apr. 2026
-
For reference, roughly 60 percent of global textile production relies on polyester and other synthetic fibers.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The story follows struggling creatives navigating debt, eviction threats and a precarious gig economy, visualized in Riley’s inventive style — from looming piles of eviction notices to characters literally struggling up and down steep inclines that mirror the instability of their lives.—
Deborah Sengupta Stith,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Servicing a mountainous areas like Escondido drives up costs, as an expensive network of pipes and pump stations is needed to move water up and down considerable inclines, said Kyle Morgan, the city’s acting director of utilities and wastewater.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Safer travel can be found on lower-angle terrain, generally slopes less than 30 degrees, particularly in areas sheltered from the wind.—
Callie Zanandrie,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
One of my favorite choices is developing a dry creek bed that slopes away from a home's foundation.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Our climate depends on the second half of the rainy season.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Inventory at the Statesmen Market primarily depends on what the Greater Chicago Food Depository has to offer, but there is an online system for Kennedy-King to order select items and quantities from the pantry’s warehouse.—
Zareen Syed,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Who knew that such daring would lead to a film that avoids these inclinations entirely, especially one that could have so easily leaned into controversial territory?—
David Opie,
IndieWire,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Samuel Alito’s inclinations have not been hard to discern lately.—
Peter S. Canellos,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leans. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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