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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Michael McFaul, Foreign Affairs, 4 Apr. 2025
Law firms are businesses and subject to economic leverage, but lawyers as officers of the court constitute the lifeblood of the law in this country.
—Michael McAuliffe, Sun Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2025
C.j. Doon, Baltimore Sun, 27 Mar. 2025
This hair transplant clinic provides personalized treatment plans, leveraging its advanced techniques to help patients achieve optimal results.
—Kyle J. Russell, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leverage
Noun
The United States would be solving one of Putin’s core geopolitical problems: his excessive reliance on China and limited leverage with Beijing.
—Michael McFaul, Foreign Affairs, 4 Apr. 2025
Law firms are businesses and subject to economic leverage, but lawyers as officers of the court constitute the lifeblood of the law in this country.
—Michael McAuliffe, Sun Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
Willard cast his negotiations for a contract extension at Maryland as an attempt to leverage the state’s flagship university into spending more on a program that has reached the tournament twice in his three seasons as coach.
—C.j. Doon, Baltimore Sun, 27 Mar. 2025
This hair transplant clinic provides personalized treatment plans, leveraging its advanced techniques to help patients achieve optimal results.
—Kyle J. Russell, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leverage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leverage
Noun
-
That economic footprint is matched by political and organizational influence.—
Ronak D. Desai,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
-
When a 1999 Top 100 list by a gay and lesbian publishing group failed to include Patricia Nell-Warren’s 1974 novel The Front Runner, many readers loudly objected, noting its influence on their own coming-out journeys.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The team used surrogate dogs -- since adopted through the humane society -- to help give birth to the dire wolves, which are white.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Prosecutors said Mahdi constantly used brutality to solve his problems.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Venezuelans make up almost one-third of the city’s electorate and hold significant sway in local elections.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
14 Apr. 2025
-
With Turkish backing, HTS operated in northwestern Idlib Province through much of the Syrian civil war and managed to extend its sway over the territory.—
Jerome Drevon,
Foreign Affairs,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The Diamondbacks stole five bases in four innings, exploiting Cabrera’s deliberate delivery to the plate.—
Isaac Azout,
Miami Herald,
17 Apr. 2025
-
At Coachella, defaults are rare, but the $4 million fee haul shows promoters profit handsomely, raising ethical questions about exploiting fans’ FOMO.—
Jack Kelly,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
This country is being manipulated by two people — and those too afraid to have the courage to oppose them.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Apr. 2025
-
In Season 4 of the Max comedy, Deborah Vance and Ava Daniels have manipulated their way into their respective dream jobs as host and head writer of a late-night talk show on network TV.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Authorities subsequently found that the boy and Ruby's 10-year-old daughter had been seriously abused.—
Liam Quinn,
People.com,
28 Mar. 2025
-
In May 2023, Attorney General Kwame Raoul published a 696-page report, which found that over about seven decades, at least 1,997 children have been abused by 451 Catholic clerics and religious brothers across the state’s dioceses.—
Natalie Demaree,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Leverage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leverage. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share