Synonyms of leader

leader

noun

ˈlē-dər 

1

as in pioneer

one that takes the lead or sets an example

an architectural firm that is widely regarded as a leader in innovative residential design

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pioneer
• pacesetter
• pacemaker
• bellwether
• trendsetter
• innovator
• pacer
• forerunner
• harbinger
• precursor
• herald
• groundbreaker
• foregoer

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• follower
• imitator
• Johnny-come-lately
• me-tooer

2

as in boss

the person (as an employer or supervisor) who tells people and especially workers what to do

the team leader is good at making sure that everyone keeps busy at their assigned tasks

Synonyms & Similar Words

• boss
• foreman
• captain
• chief
• master
• manager
• commander
• director
• head
• administrator
• lord
• overseer
• supervisor
• president
• superintendent
• executive
• helmsman
• kingpin
• headman
• boss man
• honcho
• taskmaster
• jefe
• principal
• governor
• steward
• ruler
• general
• king
• skipper
• overlord
• superior
• figurehead
• employer
• standard-bearer
• mistress
• directress
• prince
• magnate
• sovereign
• dominator
• czar
• leadman
• baron
• potentate
• mogul
• straw boss
• coleader
• bigwig
• hierarch
• big gun
• higher-up
• top dog
• top gun
• big cheese
• micromanager
• gaffer
• ganger
• cohead
• subchief
• subdirector

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• secondary
• dependent
• junior
• subject
• subordinate
• underling
• inferior

3

as in conduit

a long hollow cylinder for carrying a substance (as a liquid or gas)

the leader funnels water off of the roof and down into the cistern

Synonyms & Similar Words

• conduit
• pipe
• channel
• tube
• line
• funnel
• drain
• duct
• trough
• piping
• pipeline
• penstock
• waste pipe
• main
• tile
• smokestack
• drainpipe
• spout
• stovepipe
• standpipe
• hydrant
• waterspout
• pipage

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of leader

House Democratic leaders are preparing to welcome moderate members from across the country and a majority big enough to manage comfortably and contain a restive progressive wing. — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2026

Indiana voters will elect leaders for federal, state and other offices on Tuesday. — Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026

Los Angeles voters will determine whether to reelect Mayor Karen Bass or choose a new leader for the city by electing Council member Nithya Raman. — CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026

Trump endorsed Alme, while Democratic leaders steered clear of their other two candidates in deep-red Montana. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2026