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

Morgan has spent months answering the criticism that her title reign leans on Judgment Day interference, and WWE gave her the finish without a single outside assist at the 100-day mark of the reign. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

In North America, plants lean on cheap and abundant ethane and propane supplies that are domestically produced from the shale natural gas boom. — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 30 July 2026

Instead, this version skips the herbs entirely and leans on lemon and almonds for flavor and ricotta cheese for body. — Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 July 2026

James, a five-time Pro Bowl selection set to earn more than $24 million this season, is someone Tuipulotu can lean on during his hold in. — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1960, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for lean on

• anton
• argon
• axon
• baronne
• baryon
• baton
• boron
• buisson
• bygone
• capon
• cardon
• chiffon