Definitions

leaner

[lee-ner] / ˈli nər /

ADJECTIVE

bare, thin

Synonyms

STRONGEST

angular gangly gaunt lanky rangy sinewy skinny slender slim sparse svelte wiry

STRONG

barren emaciated haggard poor scanty shadow spare stick stilt wasted worn

WEAK

beanpole bony gangling inadequate infertile lank meager no fat pitiful rawboned scraggy scrawny stringy sylphlike twiggy unfruitful unproductive wizened

Antonyms

STRONGEST

chubby fat heavy plump thick

STRONG

fertile fresh strong

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A Nissan spokesperson said the changes were being made under its RE:Nissan recovery plan and were designed to create a "leaner, more resilient business that adapts quickly to market changes".

From BBC • May 5, 2026

Start-ups still need to sweat the key architectural details of software development and bring finished production applications to the finish line, but coding agents enable a much leaner organization than what was previously possible.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

The expectation is leaner operations, sharper strategy and higher stock prices.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

Instead, the group recommends Yale adopt a leaner mission statement found in the Faculty Handbook: “Yale University’s mission is to create, disseminate, and preserve knowledge through research and teaching.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

He looked even better than he had six months ago—tanner and taller, leaner and more muscular.

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan