Definition of leadingnext
1
2

leading

2 of 2

verb

present participle of lead
1
2
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
as in extending
to be positioned along a certain course or in a certain direction this old road leads to an abandoned quarry

Synonyms & Similar Words

5

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
Adjective
His endurance as an affable leading man, capable of keeping the audience on the side of a textually hubristic war general, is likely to at least earn him a third Best Actor nomination. Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 22 July 2026 Almost every one hinges on high-profile cameos, which is fun at first but increasingly feels like the show distrusting its own protagonist to shoulder leading man duties. Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2026
Verb
Israel's use of AI in its recent wars mark a leading instance. ABC News, 26 July 2026 Photos from the excursion show Wells hanging out with what seem to be all-White friends, leading some to evoke harsh feelings about Mississippi’s fraught racial history and speculate about whether race played a role in his death. Holly Yan, CNN Money, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for leading
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leading
Adjective
  • But Gold Phoenix was inside both his main rivals and might have saved just enough ground to make the difference.
    Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 July 2026
  • Kevin Knight, Ospreay Attacks The Death Riders Kevin Knight received little-to-no reaction for his entrance, but that’s to be expected as a young star in his first pay-per-view main event.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Adjective
  • The Mariners now sit a game and a half behind the Rangers, who have more of a commanding lead of the American League West.
    Cal Phillips Updated July 24, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 July 2026
  • Edwards, who had been the commanding officer of HSC-5 since July 2025, was posthumously promoted to captain, the Navy said in a statement.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026
Verb
  • On Joseph’s team, Aaron says the Gullah Geechee people and their deftness with indigo dye are guiding the designers’ shades of blue.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 July 2026
  • Covered in warm wood, a 24-foot self-supporting sculptural staircase connects the two floors, guiding clients upward beneath a natural skylight to the second floor.
    Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 23 July 2026
Verb
  • Accessibility Most guests park in a central lot before heading to their cabins—reducing carbon emissions—but two ADA-compliant cabins come with parking spots.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026
  • Then Drew Durham says hey after another day of running his custom gear business out of his townhouse behind nearby Piedmont Middle School, before heading back to grab a table with friends on the patio.
    Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 27 July 2026
Verb
  • The season does a decent job of seeding its few ongoing story arcs and some of its recurring jokes, especially the song and subsequent outtake accompanying each week’s closing credits, are sturdy.
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2026
  • Photos accompanying the post show staff tending to the eagle, who appears massive on a medical table.
    Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026
Verb
  • The Oakwood and Flowery Branch police departments will help make immigration arrests, extending the reach of federal immigration enforcement inside Hall County, one of Georgia’s largest immigrant enclaves.
    Lautaro Grinspan, AJC.com, 25 July 2026
  • Italian art critic and curator Cloe Piccoli has been selected as the new artistic director of Milan’s miart fair for a term extending from 2027–29.
    News Desk, Artforum, 24 July 2026
Verb
  • Amidst stagnant wages and economic uncertainty, Aura's focus on mindset as a key metric for financial well-being is proving timely, with health insurers now showing interest in their behavioral approach.
    Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • In relation to this turbulent time, Venice has never shied away from showing difficult films.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 23 July 2026
Adjective
  • If diversification were really the primary reason to own private equity, more capital would already be there for that reason alone.
    Carrie McCabe, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • The address of the shooting is listed as the primary residence for Elijah Bieniemy, according to online property records.
    Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Leading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leading. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on leading

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster