1
as in main
coming before all others in importance
they are the leading suppliers of processed meat in the country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in commanding
highest in rank or authority
served as the leading counsel on the defendant's legal team
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in guiding
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in heading
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 accompanying
to be at the front of
the local high school's marching band led the parade
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
5
as in showing
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
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 leading
Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 10 June 2026
Asia-Pacific markets opened lower Thursday, with South Korea's Kospi leading losses.
—Lisa Kailai Han,justina Lee, CNBC, 10 June 2026
Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026
Brown completed his swift and extraordinary rise to the top on Saturday, leading the New York Knicks to a 94-90 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for leading
Adjective
Jung Hoo Lee, who extended his MLB-leading hitting streak to 18 games, laced a single to load the bases.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 10 June 2026
Asia-Pacific markets opened lower Thursday, with South Korea's Kospi leading losses.
—Lisa Kailai Han,justina Lee, CNBC, 10 June 2026
Verb
Many at that point were hoping for a perfect game, apparently including Sox fans who determined a win was out of reach with the Dodgers leading 7-0 in the eighth.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026
Brown completed his swift and extraordinary rise to the top on Saturday, leading the New York Knicks to a 94-90 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for leading
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leading
Adjective
-
Patrick was addressing attendees of the Republican Party of Texas’ state convention in Houston from the event’s main stage.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 June 2026
-
Reuters — Hungary’s main opposition Fidesz party re-elected former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as its leader on Saturday for another year despite the party’s loss of power in an April 12 election to the center-right Tisza party.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
Adjective
-
Starting Towns as the focal point in an attempt to take a commanding 3-1 lead was the right choice considering the team’s postseason success coinciding with his own success.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
11 June 2026
-
Laurie will play Control, the fiendish and commanding head of The Circus, Smiley’s morally fickle superior, known only by his code name.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
That document will be the guiding plan that sets the DDA's priorities into the future.—
Michael Abeyta,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
-
Technology plays a guiding role, steering members towards strategies and treatments which befit their lifestyle, behaviors and routine.—
Nick Scott,
Robb Report,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Wait for 30 minutes after the final lightning or thunder before heading outside again.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 June 2026
-
South Africa was reduced to 10 men just as the second half began when Sphephelo Sithole brought down Brian Gutiérrez, who was heading toward the goal unmarked.—
Eduard Cauich,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Don’t forget to scan the QR code on the accompanying postcard, revealing a custom road trip playlist that will send you off on your Rhode Island adventure with an indulgent mix of oldies and contemporary hits.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
12 June 2026
-
As the team’s winning streak grew, the bag became a fixture in Woods’ game-day outfits, accompanying her through 13 consecutive Knicks victories.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
The Orioles made those big moves in signing Pete Alonso and trading for and extending Shane Baz.—
Stephen J. Nesbitt,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
Different genes for different cytokines, growth factors or other proteins could be swapped in to target specific diseases of the ocular surface, potentially extending the approach beyond corneal wounds to chronic inflammatory conditions.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
One customer showing her Dutch pride is Agatha Mills Doboer.—
Dawn White,
CBS News,
13 June 2026
-
The city, which has grown 61% in the last decade, is now majority minority with census data showing the population as 46% white, 34% Asian, 10% Latino and 10% Black.—
Mary Whitfill Roeloffs,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
These powerful systems are well-suited for developing and tuning edge models and agents, but are not primary robotics deployment platforms.—
Bill Curtis,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
Other highlights include a gym and a plush primary suite flaunting a stainless-steel fireplace.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leading. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
