leveraged

adjective lev·er·aged \ ˈle-və-rijd , ˈlē- ; ˈlev-rijd , ˈlēv- \

|Updated on: 18 May 2018

Definition of leveraged

1 : having a high proportion of debt relative to equity

2 of the purchase of a company : made with borrowed money that is secured by the assets of the company bought

a leveraged buyout

Recent Examples of leveraged from the Web

Another ad targeting African-Americans on Instagram leveraged news reports of an anti-Beyoncé rally — a viral stunt that wound up being attended by just two people — to push a pro-Beyoncé rally at the same location on Park Avenue in New York.

— NBC News, "Sean Hannity, Black Lives Matter among targets of Russian influence campaign, disclosures show," 10 May 2018
Acquired through a leveraged transaction, the business faced significant sales declines due in part to a loss of credit insurance overseas.

— bloomberg news, NOLA.com, "Gibson files for bankruptcy in deal to renew guitar business," 1 May 2018
Both bankruptcies can be traced to massive private equity deals known as leveraged buyouts, which involved large amounts of debt.

— jon chesto, BostonGlobe.com, "IHeart and Toys R Us take different paths in bankruptcy," 15 Mar. 2018
Local dollars will be leveraged to secure federal grant funding from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to design and construct the repairs.

— staff report, Houston Chronicle, "Harris County Flood Control District begins drive on $84 million hurricane repair program," 27 Apr. 2018
In keeping with the ultra-feminine vibe of her Dolce frock, Brown's beauty look leveraged icy blue eyeshadow, a pretty pink pout and a loose updo with face-framing waves.

— harper's bazaar staff, Harper's BAZAAR, "Millie Bobby Brown Was Giving All the Princess Vibes Last Night," 25 Apr. 2018
The remaining holdings were options contracts and other leveraged financial instruments.

— audrey dutton, idahostatesman, "Eagle couple accuses Boise investment adviser of gambling away their retirement | Idaho Statesman," 24 Apr. 2018
Rising interest rates are also putting pressure on the more highly leveraged retailers and merchants.

— gene marks, chicagotribune.com, "More retailers are going bankrupt than ever," 17 Apr. 2018
This is corporate raiding of the 1980s variety—but it’s being done more quietly now, with staid professionals overseeing the takeovers instead of the more flamboyant leveraged buyouts of the Reagan years.

— alex shephard, The New Republic, "The Real Retail Killer," 28 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'leveraged.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.