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 next

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

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as in to rely

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

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lean

2 of 3

adjective

as in skinny

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

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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

Examples 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

Under his direction, the company has leaned into nostalgic marketing and celebrity partnerships to reclaim cultural relevance. —

Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 21 Nov. 2024 In a chic throwback photo the British reality competition series shared on Instagram, the series judge, 84, casually leans across a bar top, wearing a long elegant gown, extravagant earrings and beehive-style hair. —

Charna Flam, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024

Adjective

Hutchinson has always tried to keep her team as lean as possible—and paid attention to more than just hard skills. —

Elaine Pofeldt, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 Polls show Latino voters ages 18-29 lean left, but nearly one-third identify as independents. —

Russell Contreras, Axios, 29 Oct. 2024

Noun

Senate District 8's political lean has shifted to the left Though Senate District 8's boundaries have evolved over the years, it has consistently been held by a Republican since 1992. —

Claudia Levens, Journal Sentinel, 16 Oct. 2024 Redistricting can greatly impact the race for control of Congress, since even small shifts in district lines can change the partisan lean of those seats in big ways. —

Cooper Burton, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lean

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lean

Verb

And committees were more heavily tilted toward Democrats, giving its members’ bills an easier path to the floor.

Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024
Chock continues to look up from under his eyebrows with his head tilted down, which is the way serial killers in movies look at people.

Alice Burton, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024