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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Networking Without the Pressure Rather than leading new introductions with pitches and business cards, relationship-first networking creates room for real conversations. Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025 Below are the leading nominees by platform for the 2025 Emmys, and the number of programs that received nods. Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2025
Adjective
The collision could create a bright flash that would be visible with the naked eye for several seconds, according to Wiegert, lead author of a recent paper submitted to the American Astronomical Society journals analyzing the potential lunar impact. Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 25 July 2025 Craig Mazin will now serve as the sole showrunner and lead writer moving forward. EW.com, 25 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for lead
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lead
Verb
  • Others avoid red wines to steer clear of hangover-inducing tannins.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 24 July 2025
  • Musk has worried in the past about the influence of activist investors or proxy advisory firms steering Tesla down the wrong long-term path at the expense of short-term pressures.
    Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 24 July 2025
Verb
  • The rapid revolution occurring in artificial intelligence today bears striking resemblance to the dot-com bubble of the late 1990s, when countless companies commanded silly valuations while some genuinely great businesses suffered brutal punishment in the stock market.
    Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • This year, Netflix commanded 120, ranking second among platforms and up from last year’s 107 noms.
    Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • Instead, leading Senate Republicans released a discussion draft, accompanied by a request for industry feedback, earlier this week.
    Owen Tedford, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
  • This was accompanied by Osbourne's debut solo single, Crazy Train, which was released in 1987.
    Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • The story goes that the robbery occurred in broad daylight while occupants of Villa Nellcôte watched TV, having reportedly been conducted by Marseille drug dealers that Richards was said to have owed money to.
    Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 15 July 2025
  • The action by the state legislature, set to go into effect in 2026, has already led Scott to completely reshape the business model of what has been 7 Point Farm and Apothecary, formerly in the Midway Center on Lebanon Road.
    Maria Leontaras, The Tennessean, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • Let the repeats guide readers’ attention, especially in moments when emotions are building.
    Renae Gregoire, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • System prompts The system prompt – instructions provided before every conversation – guides behaviour once the model is deployed.
    CBS News, CBS News, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • Cedrick Gray, who was one of the principals Cassellius oversaw at that time, talked about how Cassellius, along with the district’s then-superintendent, Carol Johnson, brought a burst of energy to the district’s middle schools.
    Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 15 July 2025
  • Even Bloomberg tried it but his penchant for micro-managing through quantitative measures and punitive accountability created top-down priorities tying the hands of all but the most forceful principals.
    David Bloomfield, New York Daily News, 13 July 2025
Noun
  • That distance translated into their own relationship as well.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 28 July 2025
  • The Stonebridge Crossing project is a bit closer in nature to The Shops at Evergreen Walk, an upscale retail center in South Windsor where developers have been adding apartments within walking distance.
    Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 28 July 2025
Noun
  • Send ideas and tips to arlyssa.becenti@arizonarepublic.com.
    Arlyssa D. Becenti, AZCentral.com, 21 July 2025
  • The public can also submit anonymous tips by calling 1-800-547-2700.
    Devan Patel, Mercury News, 20 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lead. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.

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