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

No one’s asking for CNN to be TMZ on TV, with Anderson Cooper as a Harvey Levin-esque ringleader in the newsroom. —Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 23 Mar. 2026

Wembanyama still remembers the assistant coach who served as ringleader for that core memory. —Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 21 Mar. 2026

Lili Reinhart’s coldly overbearing Apple (with lucious, flaming red hair) is their ringleader, Alexandra Shipp’s Fig is a science genius who lost her personality in a swirl of people pleasing, and Victoria Pedretti’s mentally fragile Cherry is Apple’s resident punching bag and fixer-upper project. —Jada Yuan, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2026

Lewis makes Allegra a horny scamp, and Olyphant’s Pete, the group ringleader, has a svelte savagery. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 15 Mar. 2026

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