lean (on or against)

verb

Definition of lean (on or against)next
as in to bear (down)

Related Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lean (on or against)
  1. compel
  2. force
  3. muscle
Verb
  • The Council has authority under the New York City Charter to compel testimony during investigations into city affairs.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026
  • There could be work drama or commotion among your colleagues that shakes up existing allegiances, which will compel you to reevaluate who’s really on your team.
    — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of compel
Verb
  • The companies and economies that endure will be the ones that can balance growth, resilience and sustainability—and change before outside pressure forces them to.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Doe alleged the defendants snorted ketamine off her body and forced her to do the same off theirs.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of force
Verb
  • The actor has also been muscling his way into movies, appearing as part of the ensemble of the 2023 Fast & Furious movie Fast 10 and in 2024’s Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare from Lionsgate.
    — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026
  • In 2003, Kim Cattrall bared her abs and muscled lower back in a glittering naked dress.
    — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of muscle
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.

Browse Nearby Words

leanness
lean (on or against)
leans
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lean (on or against).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lean%20%28on%20or%20against%29. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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