1
as in to steer
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 to command
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 to guide
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 principal
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 distance
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 tip
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 cue
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
as in leading
highest in rank or authority
the lead diplomat is responsible for making policy for the entire embassy
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 lead
Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 22 June 2025
Timothy Lynch, lead forecaster with the weather service office in Grand Forks, said the storm was confirmed as a tornado but crews were still working to determine its strength and highest wind speeds.
—Arkansas Online, 22 June 2025
Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 28 June 2025
Following The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Ferrera landed the lead role in ABC's Ugly Betty (2006–2010), playing Betty Suarez across four seasons and winning both an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her performance.
—EW.com, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lead
Verb
Morrison leads the nation with 10 outings of six innings or longer in which he’s allowed zero or one run.
—Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 22 June 2025
Timothy Lynch, lead forecaster with the weather service office in Grand Forks, said the storm was confirmed as a tornado but crews were still working to determine its strength and highest wind speeds.
—Arkansas Online, 22 June 2025
Adjective
But after Spielberg and Carrey left the project, Roach and Stiller took on the director and lead actor roles, respectively.
—Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 28 June 2025
Following The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Ferrera landed the lead role in ABC's Ugly Betty (2006–2010), playing Betty Suarez across four seasons and winning both an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her performance.
—EW.com, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lead
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lead
Verb
-
Fifth, without patients being steered through insurance networks, direct-to-patient providers must compete for business by offering attractive pricing and high-quality care.—
Ge Bai,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
Senate Republicans steered the sweeping policy bill past a filibuster by using the protections of a process known as budget reconciliation, which also required the legislation to undergo a flurry of amendment votes that stretched from early Monday to lunchtime Tuesday.—
Morgan Chalfant,
semafor.com,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
Mize, though, is commanding the ball better than ever before, posting career highs in strike percentage and thriving with a career-best 69.7 first-pitch strike rate.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
6 July 2025
-
Oversight is divided between U.S. Army commands in Fort Bliss, Texas, and Fort Huachuca, Ariz.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
5 July 2025
Verb
-
The black paint on accompanying bicycle pumps also exceeded federal lead limits for paint.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
-
He was accompanied on his visit by Texas Republican Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, members of his Cabinet and other Texas lawmakers.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
But everything depends on next weekend’s figures after the arrival of the first major box office threat, and the bigger the box office impact, the faster Jurassic World’s plans for a billion dollar summer may go extinct.—
Mark Hughes,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2025
-
Montgomery went 3-for-5 with the first-inning RBI triple and singles in the fourth and seventh innings in his second major-league game.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
6 July 2025
Verb
-
His legacy was the tradition of limited government and individual responsibility that guides us back to our true north when America gets off track.—
Linda McMahon,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 July 2025
-
And last month, Kennedy dismissed an expert panel of vaccine advisers that has historically guided the federal government’s vaccine recommendations, a move that concerned public health officials across the country.—
Deidre McPhillips,
CNN Money,
5 July 2025
Noun
-
What adds to the speculation is the claim made by Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 July 2025
-
During a news conference on Friday at the British Grand Prix, questions were put to three team principals about Mayer’s announcement.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
5 July 2025
Noun
-
Even on Zoom, the Wyoming sky is clearly in the background, with an expanse of ranch land stretching out into the distance.—
Allie Garfinkle,
Fortune,
1 July 2025
-
The president’s visit was signaled on Sunday, when the Federal Aviation Administration issued a VIP movement notification for Tuesday — an advisory that restricts flights within a distance typically reserved for the president.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2025
Noun
-
The curved tip targets tricky spots, like under my eyes and jawline.—
WIRED,
Wired News,
8 July 2025
-
In the meantime, experts are studying the southernmost tip of the San Andreas fault, which hasn’t had an earthquake of 7 or larger since sometime between 1721 and 1731.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lead. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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