le·ver·age
ˈle-və-rij 
ˈlē-;
ˈlev-rij,
ˈlēv-
1
: the action of a lever or the mechanical advantage gained by it
2
: power, effectiveness
trying to gain more political leverage
3
: the use of credit to enhance one's speculative capacity
leveraged; leveraging
1
: to provide (something, such as a corporation) or supplement (something, such as money) with leverage
also
: to enhance as if by supplying with financial leverage
2
: to use for gain : exploit
shamelessly leverage the system to their advantage—
Alexander Wolff
Alexander WolffSynonyms
Examples of leverage in a Sentence
Noun
The union's size gave it leverage in the labor contract negotiations.
The player's popularity has given him a great deal of leverage with the owners of the team.
I used the leverage of the bar and a wooden block to pry the rock out of the hole.
Verb
The company wants to leverage its brands more effectively.
a reality show contestant who's trying to leverage her 15 minutes of fame
Recent Examples on the Web
Dan Alexander, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
The removal of both Hamas and Hezbollah from the military balance in the Middle East will remove a critical piece of Tehran’s leverage, leaving Iran with fewer ways to hold Israelis at risk and deter them from taking offensive action.
—Carrie A. Lee, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2024
Kyle J. Russell, Journal Sentinel, 21 Nov. 2024
Gucci is leveraging her 27 years of experience in marketing and communication strategy.
—Luisa Zargani, WWD, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for leverage 
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Noun
During Lutnick’s 20-minute talk, the burly, balding 63-year-old made an impassioned defense of Tether, a cryptocurrency attached to the U.S. dollar, and announced the launch of an initial $2 billion financing business to provide leverage to Bitcoin investors.
—Dan Alexander, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
The removal of both Hamas and Hezbollah from the military balance in the Middle East will remove a critical piece of Tehran’s leverage, leaving Iran with fewer ways to hold Israelis at risk and deter them from taking offensive action.
—Carrie A. Lee, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2024
Verb
Aslı primarily leverages the DHI and FUE techniques due to their minimally invasive nature.
—Kyle J. Russell, Journal Sentinel, 21 Nov. 2024
Gucci is leveraging her 27 years of experience in marketing and communication strategy.
—Luisa Zargani, WWD, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for leverage
Dictionary Entries Near leverage
Cite this Entry
“Leverage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leverage. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
leverage
1 of 2 noun
le·ver·age
ˈle-vrij, -və-rij
: the use of credit to enhance one's speculative capacity
leverage
2 of 2 transitive verb
leveraged; leveraging
: to provide (as a corporation) or supplement (as money) with leverage
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