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
Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 5 Apr. 2026
His leverage is having the most powerful armed forces the world has ever assembled.
—NBC news, 5 Apr. 2026
Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 2 Apr. 2026
However, Hardware Canucks leveraged the display's variable refresh rate to operate at as low as 1Hz when on-screen elements were entirely static.
—Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for leverage
Noun
With a Republican likely to be appointed by the governor, that leverage could become hard to wield if not impossible.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 5 Apr. 2026
His leverage is having the most powerful armed forces the world has ever assembled.
—NBC news, 5 Apr. 2026
Verb
Finally, Sourcing Journal looks at how Standard Textile is celebrating 85 years by leveraging its vertical integration to turn circularity from a concept into a scalable industrial reality.
—Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 2 Apr. 2026
However, Hardware Canucks leveraged the display's variable refresh rate to operate at as low as 1Hz when on-screen elements were entirely static.
—Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for leverage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leverage
Noun
-
Besler is part of the montage of key influences and reflections of the growth of the game here — a point nicely made by Tocco as Besler was heading to Brazil in 2014.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Your influence expands when Mars in your dramatic 8th house sextiles radical Uranus in your power-hungry 10th house.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Building and construction unions no longer can use their old rhetorical cudgel in this debate — calling prefab homes flimsy and unsafe.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Ensure your vehicle is visible to others by using low-beam headlights, which also activate your taillights.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Control over the strait is now the regime’s greatest source of leverage, and the war’s outcome will depend chiefly on whether Iran still holds sway over it, and thus global energy markets.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Cook Islands, an archipelago of 15 islands in the vast South Pacific Ocean, is among many small nations in the region to be courted by Beijing, which has offered aid, loans and deals throughout the Pacific to increase its sway.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The show mostly avoids the politics that swirl around the design business, especially these days when critics are obsessed with the environmental evils of fast fashion and the shortcomings of an industry known to exploit labor around the globe.—
Ray Mark Rinaldi,
Denver Post,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Nevertheless, rumors about Altman’s personal life have been exploited and distorted by competitors.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Be careful not to let someone else manipulate you or use guilt or jealousy as a technique.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
3 Apr. 2026
-
During this time, Duggar manipulated the victim’s underwear and grazed her genitals.—
Assistant Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In his Easter homily, the pope singled out those who wage war, abuse the weak and prioritize profits.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Administrator Crystal Ruth switches on dozens of heat lamps that radiate a yellow hue to warm at least 80 disabled, abandoned or formerly abused animals that call the rescue home.—
Julian Camejo,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leverage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leverage. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
