leader

noun

ˈlē-dər How to pronounce leader (audio)
Definition of leadernext
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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

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 leader While Wyscout is the industry leader for video scouting tools in football, Eyeball has, since forming in 2020, established itself as the youth football equivalent across the globe. — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 22 July 2026 While supporters say this is necessary for the UC to remain a leader in STEM fields, critics worry these tests are biased against low-income and minority students. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026 Still, the company’s leaders have increasingly leaned into partnerships with major tech platforms. — Max Tani, semafor.com, 22 July 2026 Arkansas does not review private school curriculum or the qualifications of the school leaders; anyone is free to open a private school. — Peter Greene, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for leader
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leader
  1. pioneer
  2. boss
  3. conduit
  4. pacesetter
  5. foreman
  6. pipe
  7. captain
  8. channel
Noun
  • One famous local on the celebrity wall is aviation pioneer Wally Funk, the oldest woman to travel to space.
    — Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2026
  • The removal of Fedorov, a pioneer in technology and recruitment, sparked rare protests in Ukraine’s streets.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of pioneer
Noun
  • His former bosses, Matt LaFleur and Sean McVay, tend to fill H-back roles with non-traditional fullbacks.
    — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • James Goldston, the veteran doc producer and Candle True Stories boss, this week reflected on making two documentaries about the late Michael Jackson.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 24 July 2026
Definition of boss
Noun
  • Federal authorities routinely target South Florida remittance companies that operate as conduits for unlawful money transfers, especially for drug traffickers, because many are suspected of evading bank-reporting requirements.
    — Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026
  • Hard-liners want to ensure lasting control over the waterway, which is a globally important conduit for fuel shipments and has become a critical lever in confronting the West.
    — Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Definition of conduit
Noun
  • As pacesetter Powershift fell behind down the stretch, Commandment and Golden Tempo burst ahead, running neck-and-neck before Golden Tempo pulled away and crossed the finish line by more than a length.
    — Emily Ohman, New York Times, 6 June 2026
  • Though a genre-fluid affair, the Blue Note fest also features some of the most adventurous pacesetters in modern jazz, among them the flautist Shabaka, the London septet Kokoroko, the trumpeter Chief Adjuah, and the harpist Brandee Younger.
    — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 22 May 2026
Definition of pacesetter
Noun
  • What money cannot copy is a workplace where people feel respected, where a foreman takes time to teach instead of just bark orders and where someone's growth is treated as the company's responsibility.
    — Brad Strawbridge, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • Charles might be forced to take that foreman job, forced to be away from his family for two years.
    — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 July 2026
Definition of foreman
Noun
  • Yet a bright orange pipe with a black fiber-optic cable inside runs from the outer wall down into the surrounding soil.
    — Kyle Hopkins, ProPublica, 20 July 2026
  • With the 36-inch water transmission line undergoing repairs, West Hollywood is currently being served by an 8-inch distribution pipe.
    — Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2026
Definition of pipe
Noun
  • On the pitch, Schlager — who operated as vice-captain last season — is seen as a leader and will stand up for his team-mates in the dressing room.
    — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • Right before dinner, with his furry ears on, Luke asks to speak to the captain.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 July 2026
Definition of captain
Noun
  • Those moments became the sizzle reel at the start of Pfister’s post to his YouTube channel, Welcome to this World Media.
    — Kyung Lah, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • The district is sharing the information through school communication channels, Gonzalez said.
    — Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2026
Definition of channel

Browse Nearby Words

leaden
leader
leaders
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Cite this Entry

“Leader.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leader. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of leader for Spanish Speakers

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