How to Use lean in in a Sentence

lean in

verb
  • On video calls, lean in a bit to close the gap.
    — Vanessa Van Edwards, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Khaled knelt, called his son’s name, and leaned in for a kiss.
    — Mosab Abu Toha, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Coogan leaned in to see his laptop.
    — Julia Black, Vanity Fair, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Here, the answer was to lean in.
    — Leonora Epstein, Architectural Digest, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Some will lean in… and others will not.
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Seay bends down in the hallway and leans in.
    — Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026
  • Zach breaks out in a big, goofy grin and then leans in for a kiss.
    — Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2023
  • This is our moment to lean in; take it and own it.
    — Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 29 Dec. 2025
  • At the end of the quick clip, Lopez leaned in for a kiss.
    — Kayla Grant, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025
  • At the end of the quick clip, Lopez leaned in for a kiss.
    — Kayla Grant, People.com, 25 Aug. 2025
  • When challenges come up, the team leans in, rather than apart.
    — Derek James, CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025
  • But to lean in for years is often harder.
    — Erica Sloan, SELF, 13 Jan. 2026
  • Marc sits back where other people would would lean in.
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 18 June 2026
  • Danny leaned in and said something to me.
    — Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Now is that time; explore, rejoice and lean in.
    — Rochelle Ratkaj, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Danny leaned in, said something to me.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2026
  • In fact, there’s wisdom in leaning in to their retelling.
    — Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
  • She was allowed to lean in to those feelings and the tears that came with them.
    — Esther Zuckerman, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Feb. 2023
  • Addie leaned in with a whisper.
    — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026
  • When leaders create a safe space for truth, teams lean in rather than shut down.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • Celebrities have been leaning in hard.
    — Nina Derwin, Glamour, 10 Mar. 2026
  • The Street is already starting to lean in.
    — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2026
  • This is the time to lean in and start making a difference.
    — Fortune Editors, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Add a layer of depth that makes everyone lean in.
    — Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
  • Screen adaptations have leaned in.
    — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 May 2026
  • The three donned dark sunglasses and leaned in to chat during the match.
    — Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 14 July 2024
  • Barron has one hand on his wife's belly and leans in to kiss her stomach.
    — Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 18 Jan. 2024
  • But life is embarrassing; might as well just lean in.
    — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Carnahan leaned in, asking her to send him the script.
    — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 29 Jan. 2026
  • When Harry arrives at the brunch, the two lean in and share a quick kiss.
    — Stephanie Petit, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lean in.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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