Exactly. The number of times I read "utilize" or "leverage" seemingly because the author doesn't want to say "use" is very high.

"leverage" in particular seems to get over-used, even in cases where there is nothing approaching actual leverage.

Make the reader think about your actual point; anytime you make them instead think about your word choice (in the form of "why did they use that word?!"), you're reducing the information transfer and effectiveness of your writing.