Leverage Synonyms | Uses & Examples
Leverage is a noun meaning “influence” and “mechanical force applied by a lever.” It’s also a verb that means “to use something to your benefit.”
Some synonyms for leverage are:
- Influence
- Sway
- Clout
- Power
- Force
- Use
- Utilize
- Take advantage of
- Exploit
- Capitalize on
QuillBot’s free Paraphraser can help you find synonyms for leverage that work in the specific context of your writing.
Table of contents
Leverage synonyms
Some synonyms for leverage are stronger than others. For example, “influence” can almost always replace leverage, while “standing” means “position, status, or reputation,” which makes it an appropriate synonym for leverage only in certain contexts.
| Strength | Synonym | Leverage example | Synonym example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strongest | Influence | The union used its leverage to secure better wages. | The union used its influence to secure better wages. |
| Sway | Sarah held significant leverage within the company. | Sarah held significant sway within the company. | |
| Clout | The politician had enough leverage to push the bill forward and hopefully effect real change. | The politician had enough clout to push the bill forward and hopefully effect real change. | |
| Strong | Authority | The CEO’s leverage over the board was undeniable. | The CEO’s authority over the board was undeniable. |
| Power | The council held significant leverage in the negotiations. | The council held significant power in the negotiations. | |
| Weight | His endorsement carried leverage in the election, especially among voters in his district. | His endorsement carried weight in the election, especially among voters in his district. | |
| Pull | The investor’s leverage helped close the deal quickly. | The investor’s pull helped close the deal quickly. | |
| Weak | Standing | The board members’ leverage grew after the merger. | The board members’ standing grew after the merger. |
The same goes for synonyms for leverage meaning “mechanical force applied by a lever.” For example, “power” is a good overall synonym, while “control” is a synonym but with the denotation of “the ability to manage” instead of just “force.”
| Strength | Synonym | Leverage example | Synonym example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strongest | Force | By increasing leverage, she was able to move the stuck bolt. | By increasing force, she was able to move the stuck bolt. |
| Power | The long handle gave the worker enough leverage to lift the heavy rock. | The long handle gave the worker enough power to lift the heavy rock. | |
| Strong | Advantage | The crowbar gave him leverage over the jammed door. | The crowbar gave him an advantage over the jammed door. |
| Weak | Control | He gained leverage on the wheel to steer it. | He gained control of the wheel to steer it. |
As a verb, leverage can carry a negative connotation, implying using something to your benefit in an unfair or exploitative way. Synonyms that can also carry this connotation are “exploit,” “capitalize on,” “cash in on,” and “milk.”
| Strength | Synonym | Leverage example | Synonym example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strongest | Use | The team leveraged new data to improve their strategy. | The team used new data to improve their strategy. |
| Utilize | The company leveraged its resources to expand internationally. | The company utilized its resources to expand internationally. | |
| Take advantage of | She leveraged her connections to secure the contract with the city. | She took advantage of her connections to secure the contract with the city. | |
| Exploit | Jake leveraged a market gap to launch a new product. | Jake exploited a market gap to launch a new product. | |
| Capitalize on | They leveraged social media trends to boost sales. | They capitalized on social media trends to boost sales. | |
| Strong | Harness | The startup leveraged technology to improve efficiency. | The startup harnessed technology to improve efficiency. |
| Employ | Lina leveraged advanced tools for the experiment. | Lina employed advanced tools for the experiment. | |
| Weak | Cash in on | The artist leveraged her popularity to launch merchandise. | The artist cashed in on her popularity to launch merchandise. |
| Milk | The wannabe celebrity leveraged her 15 minutes of fame to try and become an actress. | The wannabe celebrity milked her 15 minutes of fame to try and become an actress. |
On top of that, there is some debate about how it should be pronounced. While most British people pronounce “lever” as “lee-vehr,” the pronunciation of leverage varies. Some British speakers pronounce it (with a long “e”), while others pronounce it (with a short “e”), like in American English.
Want to learn more about the use of leverage, or get more synonyms for leverage? Ask QuillBot’s AI Chat for an immediate answer.
Frequently asked questions about leverage synonyms
- What’s the meaning of leverage in business?
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“Leverage” in business is the process of borrowing money, investing those funds, and planning for the future returns on investment to be greater than what it costs to repay the debt.
Some synonyms for leverage with this meaning are “use,” “utilize,” and “capitalize on.”
To learn more about leverage in business, ask QuillBot’s AI Chat.
- What’s the meaning of lever?
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“Lever” is a noun that means “a simple machine that uses a bar to gain force.” While a lever is the tool itself, “leverage” refers to the force applied by a lever and, metaphorically, influence or power.
Some synonyms for “lever” are “bar,” “crank,” and “handspike.” Synonyms for leverage include “force,” “power,” and “grip.”
QuillBot’s AI Chat can help you learn more about “lever” or its synonyms.
- What’s a synonym of leverage for a resume?
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Some synonyms of leverage for a resume are:
- Utilize
- Use
- Harness
- Employ
To find more synonyms to use on your resume, use QuillBot’s free Paraphraser.
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Santoro, K. (2025, September 26). Leverage Synonyms | Uses & Examples. Quillbot. Retrieved November 13, 2025, from https://quillbot.com/blog/synonyms/leverage-synonym/
