leverage

[ lev-er-ij, lee-ver- ]

noun

1. the action of a lever, a rigid bar that pivots about one point and that is used to move an object at a second point by a force applied at a third.
2. the mechanical advantage or power gained by using a lever.
3. power or ability to act or to influence people, events, decisions, etc.; sway:

   Being the only industry in town gave the company considerable leverage in its union negotiations.

   Synonyms: pull, clout, weight, strength, advantage

4. the use of a small initial investment, credit, or borrowed funds to gain a very high return in relation to one's investment, to control a much larger investment, or to reduce one's own liability for any loss.

verb (used with object)

, lev·er·aged, lev·er·ag·ing.

1. to use (a quality or advantage) to obtain a desired effect or result:

   She was able to leverage her travel experience and her gift for languages to get a job as a translator.

2. to provide with leverage:

   The board of directors plans to leverage two failing branches of the company with an influx of cash.

3. to invest or arrange (invested funds) using leverage.
4. to exert power or influence on:

   It was Joe who leveraged her to change her habits.

leverage

/ ˈlɛv-; -vrɪdʒ; ˈliːvərɪdʒ /

noun

1. the action of a lever
2. the mechanical advantage gained by employing a lever
3. power to accomplish something; strategic advantage
4. the enhanced power available to a large company

   the supermarket chains have greater leverage than single-outlet enterprises

5. US word for gearing
6. the use made by a company of its limited assets to guarantee the substantial loans required to finance its business

leverage

1. The amount in which a purchase is paid for in borrowed money. The greater the leverage, the greater the possible gain or potential loss.

Other Words From

• non·lever·aged adjective
• un·lever·aged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of leverage¹

First recorded in 1715–25; lever + -age

Example Sentences

The Biden administration's policy towards the Horn of Africa was neither committed to principled multilateralism, nor ready to use its leverage with the Gulf states.

From BBC

However, Abbas has long ago lost all leverage with other Palestinian groups in the Middle East.

From Slate

Sharon — who met her husband at a summer theater program — saw this as an opening: They’d get set up in California and use the movie as leverage to get Keke more work.

From Los Angeles Times

Instead, the Trump-Vance administration could leverage the Comstock Act, an 1873 anti-vice law that bans obscene articles being used for abortion from being mailed.

From Salon

The Harris-Walz campaign seemed at first to leverage those more visceral forces effectively, but would not or could not follow through.

From Salon

Related Words

• advantage
• bargaining chip
• clout
• weight