ringleader

noun

ring·​lead·​er ˈriŋ-ˌlē-dər How to pronounce ringleader (audio)
: 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
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.
Owens, a former friend of Kirk who once worked at Turning Point USA, has been the ringleader of those insisting Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old charged in Kirk’s murder, was not the one who pulled the trigger. Emily Brooks, The Hill, 16 Dec. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for ringleader

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1503, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ringleader was circa 1503

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Cite this Entry

“Ringleader.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ringleader. Accessed 19 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

ringleader

noun
ring·​lead·​er ˈriŋ-ˌlēd-ər How to pronounce ringleader (audio)
: a leader especially of a group of persons who cause trouble

More from Merriam-Webster on ringleader

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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