1
as in main
coming before all others in importance
they are the leading suppliers of processed meat in the country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in commanding
highest in rank or authority
served as the leading counsel on the defendant's legal team
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in guiding
to point out the way for (someone) especially from a position in front
an enthusiastic docent led our group through the art museum
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in heading
to serve as leader of
a senior programmer is leading the team that is developing the new accounting software
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in accompanying
to be at the front of
the local high school's marching band led the parade
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
5
as in showing
to give advice and instruction to (someone) regarding the course or process to be followed
the salesclerk led us through the maze of options now available to television buyers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of leading
Adrienne Lafrance, The Atlantic, 15 Sep. 2025
The project continues Chernov’s collaboration with leading documentary producers and distributors, reinforcing his position as one of Ukraine’s most internationally visible filmmakers.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Sep. 2025
Denise Petski, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025
HarbourView Equity Partners is leading a $30 million investment in Lion Forge Entertainment, one of the entertainment studios behind the Oscar-winning Hair Love.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leading
Adjective
Studio executives had realized that audiences actually loved big comedic films starring actors who weren’t traditional leading-man material.
—Adrienne Lafrance, The Atlantic, 15 Sep. 2025
The project continues Chernov’s collaboration with leading documentary producers and distributors, reinforcing his position as one of Ukraine’s most internationally visible filmmakers.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
An accomplished writer and producer, Ross is a leading trans activist and founder of the nonprofit Trans Tech Social Enterprises.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025
HarbourView Equity Partners is leading a $30 million investment in Lion Forge Entertainment, one of the entertainment studios behind the Oscar-winning Hair Love.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leading
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leading
Adjective
-
The character collection leans into more alternate builds for main characters.—
Rob Wieland,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Use jig and pigs 18 to 25 feet deep along brush piles or main lake points with a gradual slope.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Andersen, who previously worked for the San Antonio Police Department, has ruddy cheeks and a commanding presence.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Irvine ran the ball, passed the ball and slowed down Laguna Hills’ uptempo offense with a commanding defensive display.—
Martin Henderson,
Oc Register,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In Untertürkheim’s wind tunnel, fluorescent liquids track how rain or road spray moves across the car, guiding adjustments to pillars, mirrors, and seals to keep key sightlines clear.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Sep. 2025
-
Thibodeau was let go from New York after guiding the club to its most successful season in 25 years.—
Alex Kirschenbaum,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The dry-up could leave farmers in central Arizona increasingly reliant on wells and put their crops at risk heading into next year.—
Hayleigh Evans,
AZCentral.com,
20 Sep. 2025
-
According to Lenexa police, Mesfin was traveling north on Park Street when a Ford Bronco heading east on West 89th Terrace went through a stop sign and struck her Toyota RAV4.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Among those arrested at 26 Federal Plaza -- a government building that houses an Immigration and Customs Enforcement office -- were New York City Comptroller Brad Lander who was arrested at the same location in June while accompanying people to immigration court visits.—
Jack Moore,
ABC News,
18 Sep. 2025
-
King Combs ended the accompanying video on an even more personal note.—
Heran Mamo,
Billboard,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Stablecoins now connect digital assets to the machinery of government debt, influencing yields, shaping monetary policy, and extending the reach of the dollar abroad.—
Becca Bratcher,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
To bridge the gap between innovation and investment, Biofabricate is extending its reach beyond London.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The results of these studies have been mixed, with some showing a possible correlation and others showing no link.—
Dominique Mosbergen,
Time,
23 Sep. 2025
-
The third is showing Nix a clip of the last 45 seconds from the first half of Broncos-Chargers this past Sunday.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The latter, the lead ship of which was commissioned in January, is designed with stealth technology to enhance capabilities.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
-
As cinnamon is often incorporated into products for babies and young children—who are particularly vulnerable to the potential harmful effects of lead exposure because of their smaller body sizes, rapid metabolism, and growth—the FDA issued multiple public health alerts in the year that followed.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Leading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leading. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
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