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.
That is leading people to lean on their faith for meaning and purpose. Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026 Do better, or consider hiring people who paint a vivid enough picture with words rather than having to lean on photographers who seem to have an obscene bloodlust. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026 Senior Gabriela Jaquez, who has played all four of her college seasons at UCLA, shared a similar perspective about how Close has learned to lean on her players. Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026 With some of its starters struggling, Texas leaned on reserves Aaliyah Crump (12 minutes) and Ashton Judd (10 minutes) in the first half. Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 3 Apr. 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 7 Apr. 2026.

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