1
as in steers
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in commands
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
4
5
as in guides
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
1
as in principals
the person who has the most important role in a play, movie, or TV show
the actor's career has really taken off since he became the lead in that prime-time drama
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in distances
the space or amount of space between two points, lines, surfaces, or objects
the runner maintained a lead of several meters all the way around the track
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in tips
a piece of advice or useful information especially from an expert
my sister got a lead on the job opening from her neighbor, who is the human resources director for the company
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in clues
a slight or indirect pointing to something (as a solution or explanation)
the police are now working on several leads generated by the evidence gathered at the crime scene
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of leads
Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
The Islanders had one-goal leads after Gatcomb scored in the first and Shabanov in the second.
—ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
The insurance commissioner leads the state agency that approves rate hikes for home and auto plans, investigates complaints about providers and enforces consumer protections.
—Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2026
Instead, Black leads the charge to ignore Kathy.
—Rima Parikh, Vulture, 5 Apr. 2026
Hosted by Arik Parnass, who leads the Colorado Avalanche analytics department, the conference was the largest collection of NHL analytics staffers the league has ever seen.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
Mayor Mitch McKay, who spent four decades in aerospace before running for City Council in 2022, now leads that effort.
—Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
Lisa Delpy Neirotti, who leads the sports management program at George Washington University, recently conducted a study with her students on their media consumption habits.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
Barzani leads the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region in northern Iraq.
—Zach Lachance, The Washington Examiner, 29 Mar. 2026
Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
Both Morejón and Estrada gave up leads in a 5-2 loss in the season’s second game.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
Her disappearance prompted an extensive search, but authorities were unable to develop meaningful leads.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2026
The numbers were burners, created only a day before the robbery, but logs of text messages and phone calls cracked open other leads and helped signal to police that the cases were related, according to documents reviewed by the Chronicle.
—Megan Cassidy, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
When asked whether the casting of two glamorous celebrities — Zendaya and Pattinson — as the leads can grant a cool factor to the idea of planning a shooting, Corin quickly points out that this has been a worry of hers.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2026
The folder was part of a stash that Dexter tucked into a duffel bag, not as mementos but as leads.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
The search continues with no suspects or strong leads in the case.
—Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Alongside the new Potter leads, Steve Carell, Lisa Kudrow, Noah Wyle, Linda Cardellini and David Chase made their way over the Atlantic.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
Glendon Hall, who leads the Miami Beach Black Affairs Advisory Committee, criticized the police at the time.
—Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
The Islanders had one-goal leads after Gatcomb scored in the first and Shabanov in the second.
—ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
The insurance commissioner leads the state agency that approves rate hikes for home and auto plans, investigates complaints about providers and enforces consumer protections.
—Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2026
Instead, Black leads the charge to ignore Kathy.
—Rima Parikh, Vulture, 5 Apr. 2026
Hosted by Arik Parnass, who leads the Colorado Avalanche analytics department, the conference was the largest collection of NHL analytics staffers the league has ever seen.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
Mayor Mitch McKay, who spent four decades in aerospace before running for City Council in 2022, now leads that effort.
—Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
Lisa Delpy Neirotti, who leads the sports management program at George Washington University, recently conducted a study with her students on their media consumption habits.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
Barzani leads the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region in northern Iraq.
—Zach Lachance, The Washington Examiner, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
Despite being reviewed again in 2008 and 2009, investigators never discovered new leads.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
Both Morejón and Estrada gave up leads in a 5-2 loss in the season’s second game.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
Her disappearance prompted an extensive search, but authorities were unable to develop meaningful leads.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2026
The numbers were burners, created only a day before the robbery, but logs of text messages and phone calls cracked open other leads and helped signal to police that the cases were related, according to documents reviewed by the Chronicle.
—Megan Cassidy, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
When asked whether the casting of two glamorous celebrities — Zendaya and Pattinson — as the leads can grant a cool factor to the idea of planning a shooting, Corin quickly points out that this has been a worry of hers.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2026
The folder was part of a stash that Dexter tucked into a duffel bag, not as mementos but as leads.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
The search continues with no suspects or strong leads in the case.
—Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Alongside the new Potter leads, Steve Carell, Lisa Kudrow, Noah Wyle, Linda Cardellini and David Chase made their way over the Atlantic.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leads
Verb
-
Perfectionists Nini and Jane are feeling a bit neurotic, while Darlene Mitchell helpfully steers Juicy to develop a Karen that will lean into her strengths and make Ru laugh.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
28 Mar. 2026
-
In an era in high school sports where boos, jeers, and uncalled-for chants are the status quo, Shelton steers fans to uplift rather than put down.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Because of his swing, Lincoln-Way Central’s Joey Vellenga commands attention.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Very Cherry reclaimed the crown in 2003 and has remained the top seller since, but Buttered Popcorn still commands a devoted following.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
When Reverend Jeff Hood — a spiritual advisor who accompanies men on death row — reached out to him on Facebook, though, he was intrigued.—
Brenna Ehrlich,
Rolling Stone,
3 Apr. 2026
-
From the beginning, the emphasis centered on preparation, consistency, and respect for the emotional complexity that accompanies divorce and custody matters.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The area is bounded by the Interstate 485/Providence Road interchange and extends south to the South Carolina state line.—
Chase Jordan
April 7,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Our work extends beyond the local level.—
Igor Alterman,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
During this in-home or virtual session, a specialist guides a client through their existing wardrobe, helping identify what works, what doesn’t and what’s missing.—
Bailey Reed,
Louisville Courier Journal,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The sales manager who tells a client their request isn't right, then guides them to a better solution.—
Ryan Roslansky
Aneesh Raman,
CNBC,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
As the city has become a year-round base, their clients—often finance and tech principals relocating from New York and California—expect homes to support work, family life, and entertaining without interruption.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The principals at Anonymous shared that their new VP Mather has been instrumental in identifying and shepherding projects across film and television in his nearly seven-year run there, most recently as Director of Development.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The portable help pendant elicited an immediate response from every room in my single-story three-bedroom ranch and worked perfectly at distances of 100 too 400 feet while outside of my home.—
John R. Delaney,
PC Magazine,
6 Apr. 2026
-
While Apollo astronauts also circled the moon at even closer distances and spied some of the mysterious far side, the circumstances of the Artemis II flyby differ in a few ways.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The baroness gave Epstein interior design tips and picked out antique furniture and vases worth more than $500,000 for the financier to buy for his properties.—
Shirsho Dasgupta,
Miami Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Although the concierge is adept at making recommendations, don't be shy about hitting up the affable doormen for tips, as well.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leads. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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