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
Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Jan. 2025
The two beetles face off in battle, until the first manages to get enough leverage to toss his romantic rival off the stump in a deft display of insect jujitsu.
—Ars Technica, 14 Jan. 2025
Lis Anderson, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
By leveraging his media platforms, Rock has demonstrated how strategic storytelling can create cultural movements and shift perspectives.
—Lauren Carpenter, USA TODAY, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for leverage 
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.
Noun
Deion’s answer to Schefter is non-committal, which is empty leverage that his employer will accommodate.
—Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Jan. 2025
The two beetles face off in battle, until the first manages to get enough leverage to toss his romantic rival off the stump in a deft display of insect jujitsu.
—Ars Technica, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
These are just a few examples of community engagement, which businesses can leverage for mutual benefit and impact.
—Lis Anderson, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
By leveraging his media platforms, Rock has demonstrated how strategic storytelling can create cultural movements and shift perspectives.
—Lauren Carpenter, USA TODAY, 15 Jan. 2025
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 22 Jan. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share