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

To fix this issue, the FDA is leaning on manufacturers to step up and speed up production, adding shifts, expanding capacity, bringing on new lines and specialized equipment, and prioritizing estradiol patches ahead of other products. — Caitlin Kiernan, Flow Space, 4 Sep. 2026

On top of that, the 49ers were leaning on Kendrick Bourne, Demarcus Robinson and Jake Tonges to play meaningful roles in their top-10 offense and top-10 offense. — Michael Beller, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

The documentary reality of Ryan’s life leans on observational verité techniques, with the camera often placed at an unobtrusive distance and following their freewheeling motions. — Marshall Shaffer, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2026

The space also leans on natural light through Venetian mirrors while Murano glass, Venetian terrazzo floors and Rubelli fabrics connect each space to Venetian tradition and codes. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 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