as in assistance
an act or instance of helping
a key endorsement that would give the struggling candidate a real leg up right now
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 leg up
Meanwhile Reed is hoping his son’s early start will give him a leg up on the competition in the surely forthcoming National Shadow Boxing League.
—
Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
Elbow surgery will sideline Darvish for the entire year, but Vásquez’s 2025 campaign seemingly gives him a leg up in the competition for the fifth spot in the rotation.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
He's got a leg up on some of the best players in the game.
—Ren Clayton, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
Joshua takes advantage of cold-shooting Cleburne Joshua took a leg up in staying in the running for the final playoff spot in District 8-5A with a 42-19 drubbing of Cleburne on Friday night at Cleburne High School.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for leg up
Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
Elbow surgery will sideline Darvish for the entire year, but Vásquez’s 2025 campaign seemingly gives him a leg up in the competition for the fifth spot in the rotation.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
He's got a leg up on some of the best players in the game.
—Ren Clayton, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
Joshua takes advantage of cold-shooting Cleburne Joshua took a leg up in staying in the running for the final playoff spot in District 8-5A with a 42-19 drubbing of Cleburne on Friday night at Cleburne High School.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for leg up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leg up
Noun
-
Wang won election to the Arcadia City Council in November 2022 with assistance from Sun, who at the time, was her fiance and campaign consultant.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Many brands agreed, however, that financing must be paired with technical assistance, diagnostics, and capacity building, along with strong governance and grievance mechanisms to ensure transparency.—
Mayu Saini,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Continue reading … UNEXPECTED ESCORT – A police boat in Florida received a friendly assist.—
,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The junior scored 18 points on 7-of-20 shooting with 5 assists.—
Matt Byrne,
Arkansas Online,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The item will come back for a final vote on March 3, and will require support from at least four of the five members to be placed on the June 2 ballot.—
Sierra Lopez,
Mercury News,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Polling shows support for photo ID requirements in elections is widespread in both political parties.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The team will have to find Jackson more help to return to contention.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Zddloinp Over-Stove Spice Rack Banish countertop clutter with the help of this handy shelf, which sits snugly on top of your stove.—
Paige Bennett,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Universities across the state will also get a sizable boost from the funding bills.—
Lisa Hagen,
Hartford Courant,
13 Feb. 2026
-
But now researchers say a quick nap might offer that same kind of brain boost.—
Hunter Boyce,
AJC.com,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Last year, Republicans passed legislation to reduce spending on federal health programs and food assistance, largely by imposing work requirements on people receiving aid and by shifting certain costs onto the states.—
ALI SWENSON,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The two work in tandem to enhance meal satisfaction, aid in weight management and support general health.—
Virginia Willis,
AJC.com,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leg up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leg%20up. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
