leverage 1 of 2

noun

ˈle-və-rij How to pronounce leverage (audio)
Definition of leveragenext
as in influence
the power to direct the thinking or behavior of others usually indirectly lacking much of the leverage it once had, the union is now being forced to make some concessions

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

leverage

2 of 2

verb

as in to use
to take unfair advantage of a reality show contestant who's trying to leverage her 15 minutes of fame

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of leverage
Noun
President Trump gave the billionaire right-wing activist a great deal of leverage to reshape government after Musk donated nearly $300 million to help reelect Trump. — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 13 Mar. 2025 The possibility of forcing a shutdown is one of the few points of leverage Democrats have as the minority in both chambers. — Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
Lightfoot, with no political infrastructure and unable or unwilling to leverage mayoral capital to build relationships, was abandoned by the Chicago delegation. — Forrest Claypool, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025 The strategy involves leveraging findings from early development programs to expand into broader populations and additional indications of neurodegenerative diseases. — Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for leverage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leverage
  1. influence
  2. use
  3. sway
  4. exploit
  5. manipulate
  6. abuse
Noun
  • The longer the conflict continues in its current trajectory, the more influence and land Russia will be able to amass from the overwhelmed Ukrainian military.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Those who fall into this category show enthusiasm and value connection, collaboration and influence.
    — Kathleen Shanley, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of influence
Verb
  • He is accused of using his long-standing association with the Rollin’ 60s, where he is allegedly regarded as a leader, and other street gangs to intimidate businesses and individuals in Los Angeles.
    — DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Whitten was attracted to screens—paintings in the MoMA show use abstraction to recall those of TV sets, computer monitors, and iPhones.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of use
Noun
  • Hosted by the Ekman Group and organized jointly with the Swedish Fashion Council, CTF works to underline the sway of stakeholder synergies within the industry.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 6 Mar. 2025
  • These figures seem to hold extraordinary sway over the President, who may see, in their taste for drawing theories of the universe from the growth of their own enterprises, a reflection of himself.
    — Nathan Heller, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
Definition of sway
Verb
  • Apple’s Surprise iPhone Update Fixes 1 Bug, Adds 1 Frustration By avoiding the heavy lifting of real institutional reform, DEI initiatives have inadvertently fueled opposition, enabling right-wing politicians to exploit these missteps to justify rolling back civil rights protections.
    — Aparna Rae, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
  • The authors provided examples of SLAPPs filed in response to advocacy on many issues, including civil rights, environmental preservation, consumer protection and women’s rights. SLAPP suits often exploit power and financial imbalances.
    — Jennifer Safstrom, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of exploit
Verb
  • In Lynch’s festering neo-noir mystery from 1987, Hopper plays a chronic villain perpetually sipping from a tank of amyl nitrate and handing out hits as a way to manipulate his henchmen.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 14 Mar. 2025
  • They are suspected of illegally manipulating ski suits to enhance athlete performance, according to statements from the FIS.
    — Manuela López Restrepo, NPR, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of manipulate
Verb
  • After killing the nun (Jennifer Ehle) who was her primary abuser within an entire system designed to abuse, Teonna went on the run.
    — Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 16 Mar. 2025
  • For too long, credit card companies have abused working-class Americans with absurd interest rates, trapping them in an almost insurmountable amount of debt.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of abuse

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Cite this Entry

“Leverage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leverage. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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