Synonyms of leader

leader

noun

ˈlē-dər 

1

as in pioneer

one that takes the lead or sets an example

an architectural firm that is widely regarded as a leader in innovative residential design

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pioneer
• pacesetter
• pacemaker
• bellwether
• trendsetter
• innovator
• pacer
• forerunner
• harbinger
• precursor
• herald
• groundbreaker
• foregoer

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• follower
• imitator
• Johnny-come-lately
• me-tooer

2

as in boss

the person (as an employer or supervisor) who tells people and especially workers what to do

the team leader is good at making sure that everyone keeps busy at their assigned tasks

Synonyms & Similar Words

• boss
• foreman
• captain
• chief
• master
• manager
• commander
• director
• head
• administrator
• lord
• overseer
• supervisor
• president
• superintendent
• executive
• helmsman
• kingpin
• headman
• boss man
• honcho
• taskmaster
• jefe
• principal
• governor
• steward
• ruler
• general
• king
• skipper
• overlord
• superior
• figurehead
• employer
• standard-bearer
• mistress
• directress
• prince
• magnate
• sovereign
• dominator
• czar
• leadman
• baron
• potentate
• mogul
• straw boss
• coleader
• bigwig
• hierarch
• big gun
• higher-up
• top dog
• top gun
• big cheese
• micromanager
• gaffer
• ganger
• cohead
• subchief
• subdirector

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• secondary
• dependent
• junior
• subject
• subordinate
• underling
• inferior

3

as in conduit

a long hollow cylinder for carrying a substance (as a liquid or gas)

the leader funnels water off of the roof and down into the cistern

Synonyms & Similar Words

• conduit
• pipe
• channel
• tube
• line
• funnel
• drain
• duct
• trough
• piping
• pipeline
• penstock
• waste pipe
• main
• tile
• smokestack
• drainpipe
• spout
• stovepipe
• standpipe
• hydrant
• waterspout
• pipage

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of leader

The longtime prosecutor’s death also sparked a wave of tributes and condolences from top local and state leaders. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026

This comes as a growing number of lawmakers, former AI employees and even leaders at top AI companies have warned of the rapid growth of the industry. — Alejandra Jaramillo, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026

But Cuban leaders have dug in, resisting political concessions and launching limited economic reforms to cope with the country’s economic devastation. — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2026

The motion — requested by three members — could remove Stephanie Sneed as leader of the nine-member body that oversees one of the nation’s largest public school systems. — Josh Bergeron, Charlotte Observer, 22 Sep. 2026