ringleader
noun
ring·lead·er
ˈriŋ-ˌlē-dər 
: a leader of a ring of individuals engaged especially in improper or unlawful activities
Examples of ringleader in a Sentence
the ringleader of a gang of criminals
Recent Examples on the Web
Middleton, whom federal prosecutors described as the ringleader of the group, was sentenced later that day and made no eye contact with the victims during his sentencing.
—
Emma Tucker, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
The defendants include a 21-year-old Richmond woman — who police say was the ringleader — as well as her mother and her mother’s fiance, court records show.
—Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2024
Five of those indicted alongside him have pleaded guilty to their crimes, each fingering Pratt as the ringleader.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024
By now everyone knows the ringleader of The Eras Tour, but what about the cast and crew who shine alongside her?
—Bryan West, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2024
The ringleader, John C. Nock of Fayetteville, Arkansas, got 20 years and 10 months; Brian Brittsan of Boise, Idaho, got exactly a decade, Kevin Griffith of Orem, Utah, was awarded with 12 years and six months, and Alexander Ituma, of Lehi, Utah, won the shortest sentence of 8 years and four months.
—Jay Adkisson, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
The horror classic, based on the 1974 Stephen King book of the same name, starred Sissy Spacek as Carrie White, an awkward teenager with telekinetic powers who’s mercilessly bullied by her classmates, led by nasty ringleader Chris (Nancy Allen).
—Eric Andersson, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024
Alleged to have been a ringleader in the scheme, Beltrán lost his job while active players faced no consequences and coaches A.J. Hinch and Alex Cora were back on the bench after just one year off.
—Jesse Yomtov, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2024
Enemies are normally sat across from one another, friends and allies share a couch, and those most entrenched in drama earn the hot seat next to our circus ringleader, Andy Cohen.
—Vulture, 10 Jan. 2024
Emma Tucker, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
The defendants include a 21-year-old Richmond woman — who police say was the ringleader — as well as her mother and her mother’s fiance, court records show.
—Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2024
Five of those indicted alongside him have pleaded guilty to their crimes, each fingering Pratt as the ringleader.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024
By now everyone knows the ringleader of The Eras Tour, but what about the cast and crew who shine alongside her?
—Bryan West, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2024
The ringleader, John C. Nock of Fayetteville, Arkansas, got 20 years and 10 months; Brian Brittsan of Boise, Idaho, got exactly a decade, Kevin Griffith of Orem, Utah, was awarded with 12 years and six months, and Alexander Ituma, of Lehi, Utah, won the shortest sentence of 8 years and four months.
—Jay Adkisson, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
The horror classic, based on the 1974 Stephen King book of the same name, starred Sissy Spacek as Carrie White, an awkward teenager with telekinetic powers who’s mercilessly bullied by her classmates, led by nasty ringleader Chris (Nancy Allen).
—Eric Andersson, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024
Alleged to have been a ringleader in the scheme, Beltrán lost his job while active players faced no consequences and coaches A.J. Hinch and Alex Cora were back on the bench after just one year off.
—Jesse Yomtov, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2024
Enemies are normally sat across from one another, friends and allies share a couch, and those most entrenched in drama earn the hot seat next to our circus ringleader, Andy Cohen.
—Vulture, 10 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ringleader.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
circa 1503, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near ringleader
Cite this Entry
“Ringleader.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ringleader. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
ringleader
noun
ring·lead·er
ˈriŋ-ˌlēd-ər
: a leader especially of a group of persons who cause trouble
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