Synonyms of leverage

leverage 1 of 2

noun

ˈle-və-rij 

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

• influence
• sway
• clout
• authority
• credit
• pull
• in
• importance
• weight
• juice
• heft
• dominance
• impact
• mastery
• impress
• sovereignty
• moment
• impression
• predominance
• reign
• dominion
• counterinfluence
• consequence
• supremacy
• command
• eminence
• scepter
• imprint
• mark

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weakness
• helplessness
• impotence
• powerlessness
• impotency

leverage

2 of 2

verb

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

• use
• exploit
• manipulate
• abuse
• play (on or upon)
• impose (on or upon)
• walk on
• pimp
• capitalize (on)
• cash in (on)
• trade on
• milk
• work
• cheat
• mistreat
• stick
• commercialize
• overcharge
• jerk around
• soak
• bleed
• skin
• fleece
• commodify

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of leverage

Noun

Its nuclear program and strategic location give it direct leverage over the United States and the global economy in a way Afghanistan never did. — Nate Swanson, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026

The principal targets of a US effort to use economic leverage to end the Iran war largely shrugged off Washington’s announcement. — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Verb

Over the last four years, the Clark County Coroner’s Office, with the assistance of police and the FBI, has leveraged several types of technology trying to crack the cold case. — Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

Now, the update will leverage the interior camera in the Models 3 and Y to track the driver’s gaze instead. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 21 Aug. 2026