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

Meanwhile, many leading social justice issues remain prevalent. — Mike Jones, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

All three rising stars have already signed major shoe contracts with leading brands; Wembanyama and Dybansta with Nike, and Flagg with Boston’s New Balance. — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 15 Sep. 2026

Verb

After the goal-line stop in the third quarter, the defenese produced another clutch stop in the fourth quarter with TCU leading 21-7. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Sep. 2026

In the second, Sal Stewart picked up his MLB-leading 107th RBI with a sacrifice fly. — Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing leading

• leading edge