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
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Recent Examples of lead
Jordan Novet, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2026
Halverson — a sergeant in the 4th Platoon, G Company, of the 1st Battalion — led a platoon of soldiers north from Naples, Italy up to the border of Switzerland.
—Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 24 Feb. 2026
Margaret Heidenry, Vanity Fair, 24 Feb. 2026
O’Dell said that Chesterton, as the lead applicant for the project, will have to get a memorandum of understanding with each of the other participating communities.
—Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lead
Verb
SoftBank, a leading investor in OpenAI, will deploy the SN50 and is an existing SambaNova customer, the startup said.
—Jordan Novet, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2026
Halverson — a sergeant in the 4th Platoon, G Company, of the 1st Battalion — led a platoon of soldiers north from Naples, Italy up to the border of Switzerland.
—Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
The Kim family kept performing in Korea until the late 1950s, with Kim gradually taking more of a lead role.
—Margaret Heidenry, Vanity Fair, 24 Feb. 2026
O’Dell said that Chesterton, as the lead applicant for the project, will have to get a memorandum of understanding with each of the other participating communities.
—Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lead
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lead
Verb
-
In practical terms, a fee-only planner has no financial incentive to steer you toward a particular annuity, insurance product, or investment fund.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
-
But my interpreter and guide, Alex Kotchev, a Bulgarian who has spent more than two decades living and eating attentively in Sapporo, steered me instead to Menya Saimi, in a sleepy residential neighborhood a half hour's subway ride from the city center.—
Alex Halberstadt,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
With Boeing and Airbus struggling to meet airline demand, aircraft values have surged, allowing mid-sized lessors to command premium prices, according to the Irish Times.—
Mohammed Sergie,
semafor.com,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Collectively the cast commands more than 18 million social media followers, reflecting Filmbarr’s strategy of aligning traditional genre storytelling with strong digital reach.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
And Nazgul, the Czechoslovakian wolfdog who joined the women’s cross-country sprint and accompanied the athletes across the finish line.—
Donna Vickroy,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Melling rode along with them as a passenger in the pillion seat that gives the film its name, and accompanied some of them to Cambridge Pride.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As talented journalists go independent on Substack and YouTube and other legacy publications like The New York Times lean into personalization in nearly every element of their business, The Economist has resisted change.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
23 Feb. 2026
-
What makes the shoe so appealing is its nonchalant, slip-on-and-go versatility.—
Minty Mellon,
Vogue,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Ultimately, whether the jury sides for or against Kaley in her case, the decision could guide the legal strategy and outcomes for both plaintiffs and the companies in other cases.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
-
In tandem with the spring wildflowers, there are typically guided birding excursions and talks on Shenandoah National Park’s spring ecosystems.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
McDermott has worked in a number of school districts, serving as a director of personnel and labor relations, high school principal, director of student services and school safety, and a classroom teacher.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Taylor Cirksena, a Del Oro coach and alum, told the Auburn Journal that the coaching staff’s final straw was the school principal and athletic director requiring the basketball head coach to add a parent to their coaching staff.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Sprint races, which are one-third of the normal grand prix distance were first introduced in 2021 as a way to add more of a spectacle to race weekends, with three sprints held that season and in 2022.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Once the blocks and spires of Palma faded into the distance, the 25-minute drive from the airport took me past crumbling homes, fields of curious farm animals, and not a soul in sight for miles at a time.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Locksmiths, tattoo artists and pedicab drivers are among those who could benefit from a new deduction this tax season that lowers the burden on workers who received tips as part of their income last year.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
23 Feb. 2026
-
This short set pairs ivory glass with dainty gold chrome tips.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lead. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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