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.
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Recent Examples of leading
Steve Stein, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
As on of Hollywood’s leading ladies, Jennifer Lawrence prefers not to know her leading men before filming.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 9 Jan. 2026
Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026
Should that happen, multiple Rangers could find themselves in the crosshairs, starting with leading scorer Artemi Panarin.
—Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for leading
Adjective
Tarik Francis, Rutgers’ leading scorer, had an off night.
—Steve Stein, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
As on of Hollywood’s leading ladies, Jennifer Lawrence prefers not to know her leading men before filming.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
Georgia played more than 30 minutes without 6-foot-11, 260-pound sophomore center Somoto Cyril, the Bulldogs’ leading rebounder and shot blocker, to further the Gators’ front-court advantage.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026
Should that happen, multiple Rangers could find themselves in the crosshairs, starting with leading scorer Artemi Panarin.
—Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for leading
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leading
Adjective
-
And one of its main ingredients was a hair product – Afro Sheen.—
Sonari Glinton,
NPR,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Then the Orion capsule will fire up its main thruster and shoot off towards the Moon on its 240,000-mile, four-day journey.—
The Week,
TheWeek,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
At this point, Lawrence needs a commanding postseason display to turn that around.—
Larry Holder,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The Colorado Avalanche solidified their lead atop the Central Division on Sunday, emphatically, building a commanding lead and giving Minnesota Wild fans precious little to cheer about.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
22 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
For visitors, this means the people guiding your raft or instructing your clinic possess deep expertise and enthusiasm for their work.—
Bill Bootz,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Bobby will forever be a guiding force whose unique artistry reshaped American music.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Borregales banged home a 35-yard field to give the home team a 6-3 lead heading into halftime.—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Adding to the sense of tumult ahead is the fact that traditional centers of political influence − congressional leaders, the Democratic National Committee, the Republican National Committee − don't have much to say about where the nation's politics are heading.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
New state sales tax revenue generated within the massive STAR bond district will pay back the bond debt used to build a new stadium and accompanying facilities for several decades.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
10 Jan. 2026
-
The accompanying carousel of images show Bure in her younger years, smiling alongside Saget on set and at various events throughout their careers.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Motorola devices will follow, with over-the-air updates extending support over time.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Keeping your right knee slightly bent, perform the deadlift by bending at the hip, extending your left leg behind you for balance.—
Greg Presto,
Outside,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Flender's post featured a television screen showing Kate Hudson announcing Chalamet's victory during the awards show.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Goodfellas is showing a promo-reel for the feature which is currently in post-production and aiming for a late spring-early summer festival debut.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
As the lead guide crouched down, an elephant walked around a bend in the river, maybe 30 metres ahead of us.—
Holden Frith,
TheWeek,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The bank collapsed soon after, and the building then went through a period of turmoil, foreclosing twice in the ‘90s and lacking a lead tenant.—
Sasha Richie,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leading. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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