leg up

noun

Definition of leg upnext
as in assistance
an act or instance of helping a key endorsement that would give the struggling candidate a real leg up right now

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 leg up Private schools generally have a more robust tradition and infrastructure centered around fundraising that could give them a leg up on cashing in on the new federal program. — Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026 This time, though, Workday’s core existing infrastructure gives it a leg up. — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026 One leg up luxury brands have on these challengers, though, is resources. — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026 But that edge over its lesser-selling peers continues to give it another leg up in what’s been a relatively weak market for new pop songs. — Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for leg up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leg up
  1. assistance
  2. assist
  3. support
  4. help
  5. boost
  6. aid
Noun
  • Even with the assistance of his friend Sherri (Quinta Brunson) and Gary the intern (Yang), a hilariously snooty nepo hire, the Cat is in an impossible position — can his adventure with Gabby and Sebastian work in his favor?
    — Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Petition training, legal assistance, voter registration, county committee organizing, and multilingual outreach gave emerging leaders the tools to compete.
    — Joey Saban, New York Daily News, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of assistance
Noun
  • Doncic, of course, was at the center of it all, scoring 40 points to go with nine rebounds, seven assists and six turnovers.
    — Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Four Horned Frogs finished in double figures including Jadyn Wooten (10 points, eight assists) and Camille Williams (12 points).
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of assist
Noun
  • The program aims to strengthen the military’s ability to gather information and support operations from orbit.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
  • And although Senate Democrats are in the majority, Senate Republicans can still use the filibuster to block almost every bill that lacks bipartisan support.
    — Thomas Kahn, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of support
Noun
  • The Chiefs have been on the hunt this month for help at wide receiver, a search that only intensifies with Xavier Worthy leaving the game in the fourth quarter with a hamstring injury.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 9 Nov. 2026
  • Los Angeles police are seeking help in locating a hit-and-run driver who allegedly struck and killed a 7-year-old boy and severely injured his father in South LA on Wednesday.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of help
Noun
  • Bass said the Convention Center will give the city an economic boost and argued that the police raises kept the city from losing a much larger number of officers during her time in office.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
  • According to data from the Associated Press, Democrats have flipped eight House seats held by Republicans compared with two flips by the GOP, giving them a boost in the legislative body.
    — Dan Raby, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of boost
Noun
  • Monday's attacks on a shelter and former school with bunker-busting bombs came as people were lined up for aid in Komyshuvakha, a village in the Zaporizhzhia region.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The strikes come after Russia's deadly attack on an aid distribution site on Monday in a village in southern Ukraine, which killed 31 people.
    — Katlyn Ma, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of aid

Browse Nearby Words

legs up
leg up
lei
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Cite this Entry

“Leg up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leg%20up. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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