LEG UP Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

leg up

noun

Definition of leg up

as in assistance

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

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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 Her appointment to the role, instead of giving her a leg up over the competition, may ultimately hold her back by preventing her from getting to know voters during a weeks-long sprint to Tuesday. — ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026 Trump may gloat about the earnings, but that did nothing to address the very real national security concerns with handing our greatest adversary a leg up in the artificial intelligence race. — Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026 Such an offering would give institutional investors a leg up in areas of finance like high-frequency trading, where an advantage of a few milliseconds can mean the difference of millions of dollars. — Bobby Allyn, NPR, 1 Aug. 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 See All Example Sentences for leg up

Recent Examples of Synonyms for leg up

Noun

Among the things the neighborhood would stand to benefit from, De La Torre said, are financial and legal support for street vendors who keep the commerce district alive, drug treatment programs, and housing assistance.

— Marissa J. Lang, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026
The assistance, which helps pay for basic needs such as housing and food, would nearly double under a new policy.

— Ted Hesson, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of assistance

Noun

Despite playing just 81 games in right field, Caglianone is tied for third in assists among all American League players at that position with seven.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026
All ages are allowed to ride a Class 1 electric bike, which uses pedal assist and has a maximum motor speed of 20 mph.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of assist

Noun

Yet, earlier this month, I, my fellow editors and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration personnel were informed that support for the Arctic Report Card — our flagship annual report since 2006 — is canceled.

— Twila Moon, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2026
Demographic experts are cautiously optimistic about the new scheme, which appears to offer more sustained and holistic support for families.

— Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of support

Noun

With no passing vehicles to call on for help, the pair began walking across the salt flats in search of assistance.

— Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
At the elementary level, independence may include children organizing their own assignments, managing time, asking for help, and accepting responsibility.

— Jose Bolaños, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of help

Noun

But the reflation boost appears to be petering out as much of the price recovery has been driven by surging global energy costs, while domestic demand lags.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
That is a big boost for the detection of worlds that don't pass between Earth and their host star.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of boost

Browse Nearby Words

legs up

leg up

lei

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“Leg up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leg%20up. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of leg up

noun

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