le·ver·age
ˈle-və-rij 
ˈlē-;
ˈlev-rij,
ˈlēv-
1
: the action of a lever or the mechanical advantage gained by it
2
: power, effectiveness
trying to gain more political leverage
3
: the use of credit to enhance one's speculative capacity
leveraged; leveraging
1
: to provide (something, such as a corporation) or supplement (something, such as money) with leverage
also
: to enhance as if by supplying with financial leverage
2
: to use for gain : exploit
shamelessly leverage the system to their advantage—
Alexander Wolff
Alexander WolffSynonyms
Examples of leverage in a Sentence
Noun
The union's size gave it leverage in the labor contract negotiations.
The player's popularity has given him a great deal of leverage with the owners of the team.
I used the leverage of the bar and a wooden block to pry the rock out of the hole.
Verb
The company wants to leverage its brands more effectively.
a reality show contestant who's trying to leverage her 15 minutes of fame
Recent Examples on the WebBen Geman, Axios, 10 July 2024
Leaders tried to use that package as leverage to get the district attorneys to drop their ballot measure.
—Lindsey Holden, Sacramento Bee, 9 July 2024
Peter Su, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2024
The trick is leveraging this stepping stone without getting stuck in the quicksand.
2.
—Remy Blumenfeld, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for leverage 
Noun
Critics essentially argue the White House is sowing the seeds for reduced geopolitical leverage.
—Ben Geman, Axios, 10 July 2024
Leaders tried to use that package as leverage to get the district attorneys to drop their ballot measure.
—Lindsey Holden, Sacramento Bee, 9 July 2024
Verb
In cannabis, rather, organizations are leveraging ESOPs to mitigate IRC tax code 280E and operate tax-free.
—Peter Su, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2024
The trick is leveraging this stepping stone without getting stuck in the quicksand.
2.
—Remy Blumenfeld, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for leverage
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'leverage.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near leverage
Cite this Entry
“Leverage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leverage. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
leverage
1 of 2 noun
le·ver·age
ˈle-vrij, -və-rij
: the use of credit to enhance one's speculative capacity
leverage
2 of 2 transitive verb
leveraged; leveraging
: to provide (as a corporation) or supplement (as money) with leverage
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