LEVERAGE Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

leverage 1 of 2

noun

ˈle-və-rij

Definition of leverage

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

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

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 leverage

Noun

As long as the Iran war continues, China’s leverage over oil prices gives it the ability to inflict immense pain on American consumers, and really the entire world, at a moment’s notice. — Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026 Equal tool access doesn’t mean equal proficiency—deliberately spreading high-leverage skills raises everyone’s output, reduces knowledge silos and helps new or quieter voices contribute faster, building a genuinely stronger and more cohesive team. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Verb

First, there’s a polarization between premium luxury brands and those that leverage mass market and scale value. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 4 Aug. 2026 It’s been a weird few weeks for Mysaria, with Daemon’s influence rising and falling, and her plan to leverage Helaena’s pregnancy falling apart within moments. — Brian Grubb, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for leverage

Recent Examples of Synonyms for leverage

Noun

But as demonstrations attracted larger crowds, the government was forced to acknowledge them and respond to their growing influence.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
For the Lower 48 states, this is an example of a potentially beneficial El Niño influence.

— Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of influence

Verb

There’s often debate about whether AI is used by employers to increase productivity among its workforce or cut wage costs, according to Brian Justie, a senior research analyst with the UCLA Labor Center.

— Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026
Investigators said Summers was using his phone extensively before the crash, driving 73-75 mph, and tested positive for cocaine and opiates.

— Chadd Cripe. Produced with AI assistance, Idaho Statesman, 30 July 2026

Definition of use

Noun

Today’s top stories Midterms California voters left without a candidate from their own party after the top-two primary could still hold strategic sway in key congressional contests.

— Shi Bradley, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026
Gulf states now hold more sway with the president than Israel, one former Israeli intelligence official argued.

— semafor.com, semafor.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of sway

Verb

The breaches signal that AI’s expanding capabilities are already fueling the security threat experts long feared and even top developers can be caught off-guard by flaws their models can exploit.

— Reuters, NBC news, 31 July 2026
Raoul has joined lawsuits against both Meta and TikTok, alleging the companies have addictive designs that exploit children.

— Ben Szalinski, CBS News, 31 July 2026

Definition of exploit

Verb

The lawsuit also alleges that Penske and Boehly manipulated and misused California’s nonprofit laws.

— Andrew Dalton, Fortune, 29 July 2026
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has reported that AI training data and inputs are being manipulated and warned that attackers could influence model behavior by corrupting the information AI systems rely upon.

— Syed Ali, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of manipulate

Verb

The woman Morris was convicted of abusing, Cindy Clemishire, has filed a $1 million defamation suit against Morris, the church, former and current elders, and a former church employee in Dallas County.

— Giles Hudson, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
One of them, a shorter, bearded man with a nose reddened and swollen from years of abusing liquor, gave a low whistle.

— Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026

Definition of abuse

Browse Nearby Words

lever

leverage

leveraged

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Leverage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leverage. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of leverage

noun

verb

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