1
as in conduits
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
Relevance
2
as in bosses
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in pioneers
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 leaders
Fried’s statement to the Herald comes amid warnings from a growing chorus of political leaders that Wasserman Schultz’s decision — and the state party’s silence about it — could have ripple effects across the ballot in November.
—
Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 11 June 2026
The boy’s family and county leaders are renewing their plea for witnesses to come forward, saying justice for a child lost to senseless street violence is long overdue.
—Seamus Bozeman
follow, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
Though the workshop is distinct from Lost Kite, key leaders—like MPWW’s founder and artistic director, Jennifer Bowen—are steering Lost Kite’s editorial team.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
On public safety, Raman said city leaders have focused too heavily on increasing police staffing without doing enough to reduce demands on officers through alternative response programs.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 11 June 2026
The move suggests a broader shift in Tehran, where a new generation of leaders is increasingly abandoning the cautious, reactive approach that long defined the Islamic Republic’s strategy towards its adversaries.
—Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 10 June 2026
City leaders in San Francisco's Chinatown on Tuesday broke ground on the first major renovation of Portsmouth Square in nearly 50 years, marking a major overhaul of one of the city's most historic public spaces.
—Maddie White, CBS News, 10 June 2026
Buzz and Jessie became the new leaders of Bonnie’s playroom in Woody’s absence, but the emergence of an iPad-like tablet named Lilypad forces the gang back together for a new adventure.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 10 June 2026
Drug companies are racing to catch up with industry leaders Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, and improve patients’ experience with the weight-loss drugs.
—Christopher Rowland, Washington Post, 10 June 2026
Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 11 June 2026
The boy’s family and county leaders are renewing their plea for witnesses to come forward, saying justice for a child lost to senseless street violence is long overdue.
—Seamus Bozeman
follow, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
Though the workshop is distinct from Lost Kite, key leaders—like MPWW’s founder and artistic director, Jennifer Bowen—are steering Lost Kite’s editorial team.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
On public safety, Raman said city leaders have focused too heavily on increasing police staffing without doing enough to reduce demands on officers through alternative response programs.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 11 June 2026
The move suggests a broader shift in Tehran, where a new generation of leaders is increasingly abandoning the cautious, reactive approach that long defined the Islamic Republic’s strategy towards its adversaries.
—Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 10 June 2026
City leaders in San Francisco's Chinatown on Tuesday broke ground on the first major renovation of Portsmouth Square in nearly 50 years, marking a major overhaul of one of the city's most historic public spaces.
—Maddie White, CBS News, 10 June 2026
Buzz and Jessie became the new leaders of Bonnie’s playroom in Woody’s absence, but the emergence of an iPad-like tablet named Lilypad forces the gang back together for a new adventure.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 10 June 2026
Drug companies are racing to catch up with industry leaders Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, and improve patients’ experience with the weight-loss drugs.
—Christopher Rowland, Washington Post, 10 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaders
Noun
-
The Del Mar City Council approved a resolution June 2 setting a June 3 deadline for properties in Work Zone 1 of undergrounding District x1A, which includes San Dieguito Drive and Orbita Road, for property owners to install lateral conduits.—
Luke Harold,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 June 2026
-
But there’s a semi-true idea that children are doing so at an incredibly rapid pace, and stories can be conduits for emotional growth, wonder, and empathy.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Employees everywhere else depend on their bosses’ goodwill.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
14 June 2026
-
As for most attractive team, that honor went to Brazil, while Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni was deemed the biggest head-turner among bench bosses.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Pop culture has been so stuck in a mode of romanticizing pioneers and settlers that American Primeval, with its insistence on diving into Mormon history and rejecting the idea that violence in the name of gaining power is justified, feels like a balancing of the scales.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025
-
But now, the blues pioneers who inspired him — King, Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Guitar Slim, and so many more — are long gone, as are many who learned from him, from Jeff Beck to Vaughan.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
30 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Large pipes can be seen leading into the tank, which could have held around half a million liters of water, according to measurements taken from satellite images.—
Gianluca Mezzofiore,
CNN Money,
11 June 2026
-
For a keeper who’s only played 23 career MLS games, his coolness between the pipes stands out.—
Braidon Nourse,
Denver Post,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Customers were very important; workers, foremen.—
Michael Kilian,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
-
For years after that, TCU alums who had served as Ranch Week foremen or queen would proudly include it on resumes, in professional biographies or when running for office.—
Matt Leclercq,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Brobbey, 24, has been at the heart of the Premier League’s surprise success story this season, playing an integral role in helping Sunderland keep in touch with the Premier League’s pacesetters.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
17 Feb. 2026
-
For its 10th annual Most Influential CMOs list, Forbes partnered with Sprinklr to analyze data points to determine who these pacesetters are.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
The researchers applied the method to monolayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), a two-dimensional semiconductor considered a promising candidate for future transistor channels because it can be manufactured at atomic-layer thickness.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
16 June 2026
-
Content Partners acquires film, television programming, music and related royalties from investors, producers, writers, directors, actors and musicians, targeting assets that are generating cash flow and have long term distribution deals with major studios, networks, publishers and other channels.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
At the end of the week, investors look forward to Powell's speech at the annual Jackson Hole Economic Symposium of global central bankers and finance chiefs.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
22 Aug. 2025
-
The main event, though, comes at the end of the week with Fed Chair Jerome Powell's speech at the annual Jackson Hole Economic Symposium of global central bankers and finance chiefs.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Leaders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaders. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
