Synonyms of leading

leading 1 of 2

adjective

ˈlē-diŋ 

1

as in main

coming before all others in importance

they are the leading suppliers of processed meat in the country

Synonyms & Similar Words

• main
• greatest
• highest
• primary
• dominant
• predominant
• foremost
• first
• big
• principal
• key
• chief
• central
• supreme
• premier
• paramount
• prior
• overriding
• great
• cardinal
• master
• distinguished
• preeminent
• sovereign
• top
• number one
• major
• capital
• overbearing
• grand
• primal
• eminent
• notable
• outstanding
• senior
• prestigious
• illustrious
• overmastering
• arch
• high-level
• important
• noteworthy
• influential
• superior
• stellar
• numero uno
• signal
• renowned
• star
• significant
• famed
• famous
• mighty
• unparalleled
• momentous
• celebrated
• incomparable
• unequaled
• noble
• unsurpassed
• matchless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• least
• last
• minor
• slight
• negligible
• secondary
• insignificant
• trivial
• unimportant
• subordinate
• inferior
• collateral
• inconsequential
• trifling
• subsidiary
• inconsiderable

2

as in commanding

highest in rank or authority

served as the leading counsel on the defendant's legal team

Synonyms & Similar Words

• commanding
• lead
• chief
• presiding
• top
• foremost
• supreme
• senior
• primary
• first
• principal
• high
• prime
• head
• premier
• in charge
• main
• preeminent
• managing
• major
• high-level
• supereminent
• overseeing
• predominant
• controlling
• dominant
• reigning
• supervisory
• directing
• paramount
• upper
• ruling
• predominate
• sovereign
• superior
• ascendant
• uppermost
• officiating
• topmost
• regnant
• grand
• upmost

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• second
• less
• lower
• last
• secondary
• lesser
• subordinate
• subsidiary
• ancillary
• inferior
• lowly
• assisting
• junior
• assistant
• under
• deputy
• coadjutor

leading

2 of 2

verb

present participle of lead

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

• guiding
• steering
• accompanying
• showing
• conducting
• directing
• ushering
• escorting
• routing
• preceding
• piloting
• marshaling
• managing
• attending
• controlling
• seeing
• chaperoning
• convoying

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• trailing
• following
• tailing
• shadowing
• hounding
• dogging
• tailgating

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

• commanding
• heading
• captaining
• spearheading
• overseeing
• dominating
• controlling
• managing
• bossing
• directing
• supervising
• governing
• regulating
• handling
• running
• superintending

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• following
• serving
• submitting (to)
• yielding (to)
• obeying
• complying (with)
• bowing (to)
• deferring (to)

3

as in accompanying

to be at the front of

the local high school's marching band led the parade

Synonyms & Similar Words

• accompanying
• preceding
• attending
• heading
• announcing
• escorting
• ushering
• heralding

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ending
• finishing
• stopping
• terminating
• concluding
• following
• trailing
• tailing
• tailgating
• dogging

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

• extending
• running
• going
• heading
• lying
• crossing
• following
• passing
• bearing
• cutting
• spanning
• traversing
• coursing

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

• guiding
• showing
• accompanying
• coaching
• steering
• teaching
• informing
• shepherding
• mentoring
• escorting
• tutoring
• walking through
• training
• piloting
• counseling
• supervising
• engineering
• directing
• swaying
• overseeing
• attending
• seeing
• convoying
• instructing
• drilling
• superintending
• godfathering
• fostering
• chaperoning
• briefing
• enlightening
• squiring
• inculcating
• indoctrinating
• schooling
• cultivating
• nurturing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of leading

Adjective

The new program, incorporating consultants’ advice on how leading companies are deploying AI, has spawned 50 initiatives. — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 24 July 2026

Per the Athens Film Office, the Owl Screenwriting Workshop serves as a bridge for creative talent, connecting emerging screenwriters directly with leading international producers, executives and decision-makers. — The Deadline Team, Deadline, 24 July 2026

Verb

The California Highway Patrol has also issued a SigAlert shutting down Westward Beach Road at Birdview Avenue, leading into the entrance to Point Dume Beach, until further notice. — City News Service, Daily News, 2 Aug. 2026

After its rousing Sundance premiere, the movie’s trailer ran ahead of doc hit An Inconvenient Truth, with its high profile leading GM to issue statements attempting to discredit Electric Car. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 26 July 2026

Phrases Containing leading

• leading edge