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.
Villa had to lean on defensive resilience after Rayan dribbled past Lucas Digne’s ghost-like defending to level the scores. Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026 Seattle has leaned on Smith-Njigba all season, and in the biggest game of the year, why change what's worked best? Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026 Mike Macdonald wins his first Super Bowl, leaning on an elite defense and the steady Sam Darnold to overmatch a good (but not great) opponent. Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2026 Most tequila recipes are bright and refreshing, leaning on the spirit’s inherent affinity for sunshine. Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 7 Feb. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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