capitalize (on)

verb

Definition of capitalize (on)next
as in to use
to take unfair advantage of capitalized on her coworker's absence to take full credit for the joint project

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for capitalize (on)
  1. use
  2. walk on
  3. exploit
  4. abuse
  5. leverage
  6. manipulate
  7. trade on
Verb
  • The setback sparked wide speculation that Sánchez would move forward the general election and use the momentum on the housing issue against his right-wing opponents.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Although the problem warrants a systemic fix, the best short-term solution is for hospitals to create more nuanced documentation tools, and for clinicians to exercise judgment when using them.
    — Leah Pierson, STAT, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of use
Verb
  • Over time, walking on uneven surfaces can improve your balance, which helps build confidence on steeper ground.
    — Alisa Hrustic, Health, 19 June 2026
  • There are a few more tricky doglegs, and the par 3’s – at least most of them – are no walk on the beach.
    — Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 18 June 2026
Definition of walk on
Verb
  • Feigenbaum offered a more cautious interpretation, describing some of the violent perpetrators as fringe provocateurs who exploit broader demonstrations without necessarily directing them.
    — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The company has documented instances in which experimental agents took unauthorized actions during testing, including exploiting vulnerabilities and accessing external systems.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of exploit
Verb
  • Macedo wrote a letter to Steve Kawa, the chair of the authority’s board, ahead of the meeting saying that Choudri had misused taxpayer money and abused public trust.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2026
  • There’s a sense in the gut that really gets offended by people who abuse their power.
    — Sheelah Kolhatkar, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of abuse
Verb
  • Ellison and Kreiz emphasized that they’re equally invested in spending on original films as in leveraging that gargantuan stable of IP.
    — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Oura has, of course, tried to sell itself as more than a smart ring, leveraging its massive data set and AI tie-ins as part of a more sweeping narrative.
    — Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of leverage
Verb
  • This concept turned into an exhibit element where visitors could manipulate the parameters themselves and create different fields of grass.
    — Megan Fitzgerald, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Our minds take in information from the world (input), manipulate it in some fashion (computation), and then enact behavior (output).
    — Benjamin Riley, The Verge, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of manipulate
Verb
  • Iren shares, which are traded on the Nasdaq, soared 1,200% over six months last year as part of the AI boom.
    — Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 25 June 2026
  • Even after landing two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo in a blockbuster trade on Monday night, the work is not done for the Miami Heat.
    — Anthony Chiang June 23, Miami Herald, 23 June 2026
Definition of trade on
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.

Browse Nearby Words

capitalized (on)
capitalize (on)
capitalizes
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Capitalize (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/capitalize%20%28on%29. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of galore

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All