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
Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 10 May 2026
His answer was yes, but that current accounts are most informative when read alongside gross capital flows, currency exposures, leverage, and the composition of external assets and liabilities.
—James Broughel, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 2026
If Republicans maintain control of the House, our first priority should be accountability and oversight of this administration through whatever means necessary — leveraging the appropriations process, wielding subpoena power, working with outside partners to file lawsuits and more.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for leverage
Noun
Asked to pitch in a high-leverage situation for the first time in a while, Camilo Doval disappointed on Saturday.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 10 May 2026
His answer was yes, but that current accounts are most informative when read alongside gross capital flows, currency exposures, leverage, and the composition of external assets and liabilities.
—James Broughel, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
Verb
Interestingly, the technology eliminates bulky cooling systems and leverages a domestic supply chain.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 2026
If Republicans maintain control of the House, our first priority should be accountability and oversight of this administration through whatever means necessary — leveraging the appropriations process, wielding subpoena power, working with outside partners to file lawsuits and more.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for leverage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leverage
Noun
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Bradley’s film choreography, even in the numbers that Footer deems masterpieces, is above average, clever and assured, but Astaire’s art—inconceivable without the enormous influence of Bradley’s Black contemporaries, like John Bubbles—is in another league.—
Brian Seibert,
New Yorker,
13 May 2026
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When Florida needs a federal program or federal funding for something, how will a state delegation with so little influence be able to convince the rest of the House Democrats?—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 May 2026
Verb
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While Marner avoided an abysmal 2025-26 season, the Leafs are expected to use the first-overall pick in the upcoming draft on Penn State star Gavin McKenna, the kind of player who should be able to help right the ship in a hurry.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
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Drake addresses Kendrick Lamar feud with fiery tracks The Grammy-winning rapper also used his latest musical project to reignite his feud with fellow emcee Kendrick Lamar.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
When the sway gets too risky, the captain closes some of the outer decks.—
Akash Kapur,
New Yorker,
12 May 2026
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Environmentalists and tribal governments oppose those agreements, calling them an abdication of the state’s regulatory responsibility that gives irrigation districts too much sway over how much water will be allowed to flow through rivers and estuaries amid ongoing fishery and ecological decline.—
Andrew Graham
May 12,
Sacbee.com,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Venezuela and the Caribbean nation — who in the 1990s signed a delimitation treaty establishing the terms for exploiting any hydrocarbon deposits on both sides of the border strip — share the Gulf of Paria, an inland sea at Venezuela’s westernmost end and south of the island of Trinidad.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
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Social media captures attention by exploiting social reward — approval, outrage, belonging.—
Jonathan Avery,
STAT,
11 May 2026
Verb
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In most cases, similar to engine controls, this climate control system can be checked for codes and the various modes manipulated with a scan tool.—
John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs And Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast,
Hartford Courant,
16 May 2026
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This likely created new evolutionary pressure for specialized hand use during tasks such as carrying objects, manipulating tools, or gesturing.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
16 May 2026
Verb
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The university still faces five active federal lawsuits in the Southern District of Ohio from 236 men alleging Strauss abused them.—
Corky Siemaszko,
NBC news,
11 May 2026
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There have been several cases of clergy abusing children in Sri Lanka, but the latest arrest involves the most senior monk to be accused of such a crime.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leverage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leverage. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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