lean on

verb

leaned on; leaning on; leans on

transitive verb

: to apply pressure to
They were leaning on the governor to pass the law.

Examples of lean on in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The shoot couldn’t run in sequence and was organized by location instead, so Patil tracked her own makeup, hair, body and voice continuity across Selvi’s decline, leaning on continuity photos and long rehearsals with the ensemble. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026 Republican Steve Hilton is leaning on cheeky ads and voter discontent in a long-shot campaign for governor. — Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026 They were also recruited to put down industrial strikes and to lean on union organizers. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 Get the rookies up to speed on offense The defense has had no choice but to lean on young talent. — Sam McDowell 12, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lean on

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1960, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lean on was circa 1960

Rhymes for lean on

See All Rhymes for lean on

Browse Nearby Words

leanness
lean on
leant
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lean on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lean%20on. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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