lean (on or against)

verb

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

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lean (on or against)
  1. compel
  2. force
  3. muscle
Verb
  • Their scouting evaluation, comprehensive enough to unearth the aptitude beneath that bushy head of hair, compelled the team to select Bredeson in the fifth round of the 2026 draft.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The scientist who is compelled by an unstoppable need to know, despite being aware of the danger, is a familiar trope in sci-fi and horror novels and films.
    — Carline Tromp, The Dial, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of compel
Verb
  • His removal triggered mass protests that lasted for weeks but ultimately failed to force a reversal of the decision.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The throw arrived in time but landed several feet short, forcing Knizner in an awkward position to make a difficult pick.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of force
Verb
  • The action spilled to the outside, and Wagner muscled Dragon Lee back into the ring with a powerbomb.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, SpaceX and Meta have muscled their way into the AI elite ranks, further piling the pressure on the leading frontier labs.
    — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 14 Aug. 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
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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 25 Aug. 2026.

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