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
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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
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Recent Examples of leverage
William Jones, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026
Unfortunately, the results of the past 12 days have merely added leverage to the leagues that already have all the advantages.
—Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Mark Dee
march 27, Idaho Statesman, 27 Mar. 2026
As history has proved, titans of industry often share a regrettable tendency to make a lot of money from leveraging enthusiasm and then leaving others to clean up the mess when the markets implode.
—Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for leverage
Noun
In an era defined by leverage, systems, and compounding architecture, those best positioned may be those who design businesses that scale beyond an individual’s capacity or involvement.
—William Jones, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026
Unfortunately, the results of the past 12 days have merely added leverage to the leagues that already have all the advantages.
—Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
Interest in ADUs is on the rise among Boise residents looking to leverage their properties, as well as lawmakers trying to ease Idaho’s housing crunch.
—Mark Dee
march 27, Idaho Statesman, 27 Mar. 2026
As history has proved, titans of industry often share a regrettable tendency to make a lot of money from leveraging enthusiasm and then leaving others to clean up the mess when the markets implode.
—Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for leverage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leverage
Noun
-
In interviews with The Star, politicians, consultants and other political experts touted Graves’ ability to use his influence in Washington to bolster Kansas City’s most important projects.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Charlotte credited him and maternal grandfather Jeff Foy for being big influences on her softball path.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
1 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
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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
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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
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With key Pistons defenders like Ausar Thompson (ankle), Cade Cunningham (lung), and Isaiah Stewart (calf) sidelined or doubtful, Gilgeous-Alexander has a prime opportunity to exploit the matchup.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
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This property is driven by a phenomenon known as plasmonics, where light interacting with a material generates collective oscillations of electrons, producing highly localized electromagnetic fields that can be exploited in technologies such as sensing, catalysis, and energy harvesting.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Orban started manipulating these grievances, and did so to significantly divide Hungarian society.—
John Shattuck,
The Conversation,
27 Mar. 2026
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As machines grow more powerful, society will become increasingly effective at shaping the world, while individuals who never learned to think deeply will be easier to manipulate.—
Shai Tubali,
Big Think,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Prosecutors argue that Duckett was a monster in disguise who abused the badge and brutally raped and killed Teresa before dumping her body in a lake.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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The officer laughed and explained that someone had called in a report about a canine possibly being abused or in need of emergency veterinary care due to the noise.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leverage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leverage. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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