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.

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

The plucky startup has a chance to find its place in the market precisely because of its leaner operations, said 32-year-old Yun, who serves as chief operating officer.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

But his pre-season preparation was key in matching those demands this season, with the midfielder visibly leaner and stronger.

From BBC • Feb. 6, 2026

"Although we have faced a significant crisis in the past year, we have also viewed it as an opportunity. It's an opportunity for a leaner WHO to become more focused on its core mission."

From Barron's • Feb. 2, 2026

She was struck again by how he’d grown, how he seemed leaner and stronger and more solid than she’d remembered.

From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng