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
Concurrently, Jake is also pulled into Vince’s financial woes, including the latter’s ongoing tension with a criminal ringleader, Joe (CODA Oscar winner Troy Kotsur), who seeks repayment for a massive debt Vince can’t settle.
—
Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Sep. 2025
That rhetoric has only amplified with Abrego Garcia’s criminal indictment in Tennessee, where federal prosecutors have called him not only a member, but a ringleader in the gang and a prolific human smuggler.
—Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
All in all, the crackdowns will have to continue until street takeover ringleaders and participants are totally deterred.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025
The Godfather director steals the show here as an energetic, pugnacious and visionary circus ringleader who put his money where his mouth was for a project that wound up flopping critically and commercially.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ringleader
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Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Sep. 2025
That rhetoric has only amplified with Abrego Garcia’s criminal indictment in Tennessee, where federal prosecutors have called him not only a member, but a ringleader in the gang and a prolific human smuggler.
—Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
All in all, the crackdowns will have to continue until street takeover ringleaders and participants are totally deterred.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025
The Godfather director steals the show here as an energetic, pugnacious and visionary circus ringleader who put his money where his mouth was for a project that wound up flopping critically and commercially.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ringleader
Cite this Entry
“Ringleader.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ringleader. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ringleader
noun
ring·lead·er
ˈriŋ-ˌlēd-ər
: a leader especially of a group of persons who cause trouble
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