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
As to who the few might be, suspicion immediately falls — and not without good reason — on a gang of genially rowdy final-year teens, whose ringleaders Kou (Yukito Hidaki) and Yuta (Hayao Kurihara) have been best friends since childhood.
—
Jessica Kiang, Variety, 22 Sep. 2024
Voss’s sentencing follows that of Gary Lamont, who in December 2023 received five years in jail, minus time served, for his role as ringleader of the operation.
—News Desk, Artforum, 9 Sep. 2024
In 2020, South Korean authorities arrested a ringleader of an online network that used Telegram to blackmail and coerce women and children into sharing explicit images of themselves.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2024
Ramirez was the ringleader who opened the Savvyshoppersite.com, the base site of their counterfeit operation.
—Rendy Jones, EW.com, 5 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ringleader 
Jessica Kiang, Variety, 22 Sep. 2024
Voss’s sentencing follows that of Gary Lamont, who in December 2023 received five years in jail, minus time served, for his role as ringleader of the operation.
—News Desk, Artforum, 9 Sep. 2024
In 2020, South Korean authorities arrested a ringleader of an online network that used Telegram to blackmail and coerce women and children into sharing explicit images of themselves.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2024
Ramirez was the ringleader who opened the Savvyshoppersite.com, the base site of their counterfeit operation.
—Rendy Jones, EW.com, 5 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ringleader
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.
Dictionary Entries Near ringleader
Cite this Entry
“Ringleader.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ringleader. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
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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