lead 1 of 3

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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in to accompany
to be at the front of the local high school's marching band led the parade

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
as in to go
to be positioned along a certain course or in a certain direction this old road leads to an abandoned quarry

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5

lead

2 of 3

noun

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

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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

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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

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4

lead

3 of 3

adjective

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb lead contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of lead are engineer, guide, pilot, and steer. While all these words mean "to direct in a course or show the way to be followed," lead implies showing the way and often keeping those that follow under control and in order.

led his team to victory

When is engineer a more appropriate choice than lead?

The words engineer and lead can be used in similar contexts, but engineer implies finding ways to avoid or overcome difficulties in achieving an end or carrying out a plan.

engineered his son's election to the governorship

When might guide be a better fit than lead?

While in some cases nearly identical to lead, guide implies intimate knowledge of the way and of all its difficulties and dangers.

guided the scouts through the cave

When would pilot be a good substitute for lead?

The words pilot and lead are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, pilot suggests guidance over a dangerous or complicated course.

piloted the bill through the Senate

In what contexts can steer take the place of lead?

In some situations, the words steer and lead are roughly equivalent. However, steer implies an ability to keep to a course and stresses the capacity of maneuvering correctly.

steered the ship through a narrow channel

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of lead
Verb
This same message translated into the makeup, which was led by none other than the legendary Pat McGrath. Essence, 16 Oct. 2025 The leadership team — led by founder and global chief executive officer Alessandro Lanaro; Rebecca Giefer, CEO of the Americas, and Giovanni Lo Faro, CEO International — is to remain in place. Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Abu Safiya was the lead physician in Gaza for MedGlobal before his detention. Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2025 Instead of lead paint or gasoline, exposure millions of years ago would have come from soil and water contamination sometimes exacerbated by volcanic activity. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 15 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lead
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lead
Verb
  • Neuroscience also reveals how collective memory and leadership dynamics can steer a society toward increasing aggression or maintaining peace.
    Big Think, Big Think, 18 Oct. 2025
  • In the meantime, the words and actions of the administration have steered the Department of Homeland Security sharply away from its stated core values.
    Keith Wilson, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • An Irish drug dealer commands a billion-dollar cocaine empire from the Emirates.
    David Remnick, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Phillips, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent in March, could command a mid-round pick.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The numbers fluctuate over the years, but, as a broad trend, the improvement in pass completion and the number of passes made per game over the past decade was accompanied by a significant rise in goals scored and, in particular, the proportion of goals scored from open play.
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The Labubu craze doesn’t seem to be dying down any time soon, as new, mainstream, and rare editions are all in high demand, and fans often look for clothing and event advent calendars to accompany their cute yet scary figurines.
    Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The rapper also expressed frustration towards those who criticized her appearance at a rally Kamala Harris hosted in Milwaukee ahead of the 2024 election, stating that the wrong parts of her speech went viral.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025
  • These can require more unraveling, and the further back one goes, the more conjecture there is.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Over the past two decades, the ordinances guiding the Office of the Independent Monitor (OIM) have been revised multiple times to strengthen its capacity to serve the public effectively.
    DP Opinion, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Of course, the expert teachers of the school were happy to guide women back to a true feminine balance.
    Julia Ioffe, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Champlin, with an assist from Zach and other school staff members, helped the young students throw the surprise ceremony for their beloved principal.
    Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
  • What his responsibilities are now at the district office with the title of high school assistant principal, is unknown.
    Marsha Sutton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • There were three distance options -- 20, 50 and 100 kilometers -- that led riders north up in and around the Bella Vista area before bringing them back to downtown Bentonville.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The Golden State Warriors are now a good distance above the rest of the league, thanks largely to the favorable economics of their arena.
    Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The Old Farmer's Almanac predicts near-to-above normal snowfall on the Ohio Valley's eastern side, which includes Pittsburgh and Charleston, South Carolina, and a below-normal amount on the western side, near the southern tip of Illinois.
    Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Jack and his friends left $20,000 in tips, which comes out to a decent $1,818 each, though 1 million wouldn’t be enough.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lead. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

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