LEAN Synonyms: 158 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'lean' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of lean are gaunt , lanky , lank , rawboned , scrawny , skinny , and spare . While all these words mean "thin because of an absence of excess flesh," lean stresses lack of fat and of curving contours. // a lean racehorse

Q: When is 'gaunt' a more appropriate choice than 'lean'?

The words gaunt and lean can be used in similar contexts, but gaunt implies marked thinness or emaciation as from overwork or suffering. // a prisoner's gaunt face

Q: When is it sensible to use 'lank' instead of 'lean'?

The words lank and lean are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, lank implies tallness as well as leanness. // the lank legs of the heron

Q: When would 'lanky' be a good substitute for 'lean'?

The synonyms lanky and lean are sometimes interchangeable, but lanky suggests awkwardness and loose-jointedness as well as thinness. // a lanky youth, all arms and legs

Q: In what contexts can 'rawboned' take the place of 'lean'?

The meanings of rawboned and lean largely overlap; however, rawboned suggests a large ungainly build without implying undernourishment. // a rawboned farmer

Q: How do 'scrawny' and 'skinny' relate to one another, in the sense of 'lean'?

Both scrawny and skinny imply an extreme leanness that suggests deficient strength and vitality. // a scrawny chicken // skinny street urchins

Q: When could 'spare' be used to replace 'lean'?

While the synonyms spare and lean are close in meaning, spare suggests leanness from abstemious living or constant exercise. // the gymnast's spare figure

lean 1 of 3

verb

ˈlēn

Definition of lean

as in to tilt

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

as in to tend

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to rely

to place reliance or trust you can always lean on me if you need help

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lean

2 of 3

adjective

as in skinny

having a noticeably small amount of body fat all of the marathoners are extremely lean

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lean

3 of 3

noun

as in slope

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective lean contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of lean are gaunt, lanky, lank, rawboned, scrawny, skinny, and spare. While all these words mean "thin because of an absence of excess flesh," lean stresses lack of fat and of curving contours.

a lean racehorse

When is gaunt a more appropriate choice than lean?

The words gaunt and lean can be used in similar contexts, but gaunt implies marked thinness or emaciation as from overwork or suffering.

a prisoner's gaunt face

When is it sensible to use lank instead of lean?

The words lank and lean are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, lank implies tallness as well as leanness.

the lank legs of the heron

When would lanky be a good substitute for lean?

The synonyms lanky and lean are sometimes interchangeable, but lanky suggests awkwardness and loose-jointedness as well as thinness.

a lanky youth, all arms and legs

In what contexts can rawboned take the place of lean?

The meanings of rawboned and lean largely overlap; however, rawboned suggests a large ungainly build without implying undernourishment.

a rawboned farmer

How do scrawny and skinny relate to one another, in the sense of lean?

Both scrawny and skinny imply an extreme leanness that suggests deficient strength and vitality.

a scrawny chicken

skinny street urchins

When could spare be used to replace lean?

While the synonyms spare and lean are close in meaning, spare suggests leanness from abstemious living or constant exercise.

the gymnast's spare figure

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 lean

Verb

Expect specialty roasters and mass-market brands alike to lean into dry-storage packaging and tighter supply-chain disclosures as a point of differentiation. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026 Women and African Americans, two demographics that typically lean Democratic, are also well-represented so far in the electorate. — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 20 Oct. 2026

Adjective

For example, lean meat like turkey might benefit from the richness of cream, whereas a fattier meat like pork might be better off with milk (or water, or stock). — Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 Just the supplement alone will work magic on your lean mass and strength. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 15 Oct. 2026

Noun

The furniture and decor for your little one leans into that fleeting window of imagination, bringing color, whimsy, and playfulness to make their room feel unmistakably theirs. — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 31 Aug. 2026 Framed as an ensemble drama rather than the story of a single heroic whistleblower, the production compresses Ibsen’s plot, reimagines the ending and leans into satire without sacrificing moral bite. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lean

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lean

Verb

Perhaps the script is unduly tilted by Ramos’ drawling, sincerely beguiling delivery.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 24 Oct. 2026
Opposition parties have also alleged that the electoral roll revisions tilted the electoral field in the BJP’s favor in the West Bengal election held earlier this year, helping the party win power in the state for the first time.

— Asim Ali, Time, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of tilt

Verb

Smaller-scale landlords tend to be more flexible with tenants on issues such as late rent, data show, so the city should award grants or subsidies to help those landlords keep their properties habitable, Khanmalek said.

— Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Although black proved to be the most popular choice, most Salomon pairs (at least those in neutral colorways) tend to go with pretty much anything, from jeans to track pants to pleated miniskirts.

— Nuria Luis, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of tend

Verb

Traditional mobile satellite services have often relied on specialized equipment, including satellite phones.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
The approach could help researchers explore how separate computing systems share insights without relying on a single central processing location.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of rely

Adjective

Since the beginning of the episode, Lee’s been tailed by McMann’s skinny accomplice — the guy Ginger shot in the neck at the end of the season premiere.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
His long tusks were pale white; the bottoms of his feet splayed out wide under his skinny legs, the better to stabilize on sand.

— Samantha Falewée, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of skinny

Noun

Highlights include the verdant jungle at Cap Cana, the lush volcanic slopes above Saint-Pierre in Martinique, and the coral gardens off Kralendijk in Bonaire.

— Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 21 Oct. 2026
Caltrans has secured millions in emergency funding to fix a large crack that has developed in the slope below Pacific Coast Highway near Laguna Beach.

— Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of slope

Verb

Witkoff’s visit to Russia comes amid mounting fears in Kyiv that Washington is angling to end the war on Moscow’s terms.

— Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Its authentic features include a chainstitched waistband, pleated cargo pockets, and angled side pockets.

— Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of angle

Verb

Proceeds aren’t the same as taxable gains, and the tax bill depends on the home’s original cost, qualifying improvements, selling expenses and the $500,000 home-sale exclusion for eligible married couples.

— Liz Weston, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
The effectiveness of electronic warfare depends on the target’s communications and operating characteristics.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of depend

Adjective

With fewer trainees at the start of the talent pipeline, organizations are likely to face a thinner shortlist for the CFO seat in the future.

— Sam Birchall, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
The Rams are already thin at receiver in the wake of a hamstring injury suffered by Davante Adams during the Rams’ 18-16 defeat by the Arizona Cardinals last Sunday.

— Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of thin

Browse Nearby Words

leaky

lean

leaned

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Lean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lean. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of lean

verb

adjective

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Words We're Watching: 'Lean in'

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of lean

verb

adjective

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Phrases Containing lean

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to lean

Words We're Watching: 'Lean in'

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes