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

The ringleader was shot and killed by a trusty -- an inmate serving as a guard -- during the incident. —Arkansas Online, 22 Nov. 2025

Mindich co-owned the entertainment company Kvartal 95 with the president and, according to The Kyiv Independent, Mindich was alleged to be the ringleader of that network. —Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 17 Nov. 2025

More than 130 men are murdered and the club’s ringleader, the young, beautiful and crazy Zsofi Kovacs is put on trial, facing the death penalty. —Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025

The alleged ringleader of the scam, Kira Milany Romero Pinto, 40, of Lake Elmo, is now facing a felony racketeering charge and 11 felony counts of theft by swindle in Washington County District Court. —Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 5 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1503, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ringleader

• cheerleader
• proofreader
• bleeder
• breeder
• feeder
• leader
• lieder
• meader
• pleader
• reader
• reeder
• seeder

Kids Definition

ringleader

noun

ring·​lead·​er ˈriŋ-ˌlēd-ər 

: a leader especially of a group of persons who cause trouble