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 If the Rays were to explore relocation – or if MLB opens up a round of expansion talks in the coming years – the Dreamers want to be ready and believe a commitment of TDT funds could give them a leg up on other cities. — Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 July 2026 On slide four of her carousel, Pink included a cute photo of Jameson posing with his arms and one of his legs up. — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 23 July 2026 All for a leg up in a series between the two worst teams in baseball. — Chris Branch, New York Times, 21 July 2026 The cost advantage, loosening visa restrictions and a burgeoning reputation for reliable medical care has given China a leg up against other aspiring healthcare hotspots. — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 8 July 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
  • The United States, once the top provider of assistance to Afghanistan, no longer even ranks in the top five of donor nations.
    — Kara Fox, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Police said that detectives were called for assistance after dispatchers were notified of a man down along Pine Hollow Road just after midnight on Friday.
    — Mike Darnay, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of assistance
Noun
  • Shakira Austin had 29 points and eight rebounds and Sonia Citron added 17 points and eight assists for Washington (19-14), which has lost two straight following a seven-game winning streak.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Heine Larsen is a threat from midfield with seven goals and an assist in the league this season.
    — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of assist
Noun
  • Not everyone has enough resources and support to turn to in real life, the 22-year-old said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The edges of your lawn and garden provide the perfect habitat for these plants, while fences and retaining walls can give support to growing poison ivy vines.
    — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of support
Noun
  • The district is also preparing to develop a new elementary-school literacy curriculum this school year, with the help of new state funding.
    — Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Many of the students who will be returning to Georgia’s campuses this month are only able to afford school with the help of federal student loans.
    — Jason Armesto, AJC.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of help
Noun
  • If your shampoo of choice doesn’t have peppermint as a critical ingredient, try adding a few drops to the bottle for a boost.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The problem appears especially glaring in thinner fields that could desperately use a boost in the competition — like this year’s limited series crop.
    — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of boost
Noun
  • The aid workers who once regularly visited her village to help pregnant women had stopped coming, after foreign aid cuts by the United States shuttered a program aimed at saving mothers’ and babies’ lives.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Political scientist Sandra Borda argued that the difficulties in aid management are related to the tense political transition between the current and previous administrations, which lacked a formal handover.
    — Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of aid

Browse Nearby Words

legs up
leg up
lei
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Leg up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leg%20up. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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