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
Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 29 July 2025
The Enquirer asked Messer Construction, the company leading the project, about the yellow that now coats parts of where the metal panels are supposed to be.
—Sydney Franklin, The Enquirer, 29 July 2025
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Aug. 2025
But the song lacks the magnetism that a lead single should have; the hook is also on the weaker side, and the music video isn’t much to write home about.
—Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lead
Verb
Those strengths were often neutralized while leading a veteran Phillies team as the organization tried to stave off an ultimately unavoidable rebuild.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 29 July 2025
The Enquirer asked Messer Construction, the company leading the project, about the yellow that now coats parts of where the metal panels are supposed to be.
—Sydney Franklin, The Enquirer, 29 July 2025
Adjective
Fields-Green became a standby on Broadway, then the first alternate in the company’s history for the national tour, before taking over the lead role halfway through last year and transferring to London in January.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Aug. 2025
But the song lacks the magnetism that a lead single should have; the hook is also on the weaker side, and the music video isn’t much to write home about.
—Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lead
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lead
Verb
-
Any inappropriate questions are immediately steered back to mixology.—
John Kell,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Say a driver is steering their new iX M70 along an alpine roadway on a brisk October morning.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Once backed only by a small group of progressive Democrats, Sanders’s monthslong effort to block weapons transfers now commands the support of more than half the Senate Democratic Caucus.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Even in a time of war, even when conditions are most brutal, Jews are commanded to observe restraint, to practice proportionality.—
Michael S. Roth,
Time,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
With Brian Cashman accompanying the Yankees to St. Louis, the Bombers beat the Cardinals, 4-3, on Friday night.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Her grandfather, Jim Coleman, and uncle, Jacob, accompany her on guitar and mandolin.—
Frank Langfitt,
NPR,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Other posts remain online long after going viral — even if the comments section is flooded with fans noting that a video or picture is falsified or abusive.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Aug. 2025
-
Preston went missing for the first time in 1990, McCollum said.—
Everett Eaton,
jsonline.com,
9 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The walking tour is self guided and includes a half-mile walk around the park to read informational legends at each dinosaur exhibit.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
9 Aug. 2025
-
Johnson installed a new staff and is ready to help guide the new era of Bears football.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Investments in securities are not insured, protected or guaranteed and may result in loss of income and/or principal.—
Daniel Kern,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
The series, starring Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams, returns to Netflix in two parts and introduces new cast members, including Joanna Lumley as Grandmama, Steve Buscemi as Nevermore’s new principal and Lady Gaga as a mysterious teacher.—
Aya Al-Hakim,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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What's more, the planet apparently orbits at a distance from the star where temperatures might be cozy enough for life, according to a pair of reports accepted by The Astrophysical Journal Letters.—
Nell Greenfieldboyce,
NPR,
7 Aug. 2025
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The elites of colonial society had to legislate difference in status, distance in proximity, and the alienation of affections between people of European, African and Indigenous ancestry.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Let your teeth part slightly so there’s a tiny gap, and rest the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth, just behind your front teeth.—
Ronnie Li,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Joao Pedro continued a spectacularly clinical start to his career at the tip of Maresca’s attack with a goal in each game, and Gittens showcased some sharp skills and explosive speed on the left flank.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
13 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lead. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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