lean on
verb
leaned on; leaning on; leans on
: 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
Though she’s leaned on her work as Lady Whistledown in the past, the thought of being at the mercy of the whims of her conniving mother, Portia (Polly Walker), or her superficial and cruel sisters, Prudence (Bessie Carter) and Philippa (Harriet Cains), has become unbearable.
—
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 16 May 2024
That has meant leaning on broadcast TV, but also partnering with the largest streaming platforms, including Amazon Prime Video — which has Thursday Night Football — and YouTube — which has Sunday Ticket.
—Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 May 2024
Chen Liu of Vista explained that many in Friday’s crowd are on a first-name basis, gradually getting to know each other over decades spent leaning on the rail, chatting days away even when the only thing biting is the pelican roosting on the rail down by the bait shop.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 May 2024
Behind her, a few dozen people mill about, leaning on a rail, drinking coffee, staring at their phones.
—J. George Gorant, Robb Report, 9 May 2024
Read Next Florida Beach house left leaning on neighbors’ homes after Florida storm.
—Julia Marnin, Sacramento Bee, 8 May 2024
Indicative of its north Indian focus, the food here leans on the milder side, so don’t expect an onslaught of spices.
—Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 7 May 2024
These candies lean on alternative sweeteners like allulose (a sugar that naturally occurs in fruits like figs and raisins) and monk fruit (a zero-calorie sweetener that comes from swingle fruit native to southern China).
—Kate Kassin, Bon Appétit, 7 May 2024
Providers are racing to get new projects online, and experts are split on the question of whether a spree of investment will push climate goals forward or continue to lean on coal and other dirty sources.
—Dylan Sloan, Fortune, 6 May 2024
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 16 May 2024
That has meant leaning on broadcast TV, but also partnering with the largest streaming platforms, including Amazon Prime Video — which has Thursday Night Football — and YouTube — which has Sunday Ticket.
—Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 May 2024
Chen Liu of Vista explained that many in Friday’s crowd are on a first-name basis, gradually getting to know each other over decades spent leaning on the rail, chatting days away even when the only thing biting is the pelican roosting on the rail down by the bait shop.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 May 2024
Behind her, a few dozen people mill about, leaning on a rail, drinking coffee, staring at their phones.
—J. George Gorant, Robb Report, 9 May 2024
Read Next Florida Beach house left leaning on neighbors’ homes after Florida storm.
—Julia Marnin, Sacramento Bee, 8 May 2024
Indicative of its north Indian focus, the food here leans on the milder side, so don’t expect an onslaught of spices.
—Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 7 May 2024
These candies lean on alternative sweeteners like allulose (a sugar that naturally occurs in fruits like figs and raisins) and monk fruit (a zero-calorie sweetener that comes from swingle fruit native to southern China).
—Kate Kassin, Bon Appétit, 7 May 2024
Providers are racing to get new projects online, and experts are split on the question of whether a spree of investment will push climate goals forward or continue to lean on coal and other dirty sources.
—Dylan Sloan, Fortune, 6 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lean on.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Lean on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lean%20on. Accessed 23 May. 2024.
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