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
Breanne L. Heldman, People.com, 9 June 2025
Shirley was the first African American tenor to perform a leading role at the Metropolitan Opera, a professor at The University of Michigan, and a National Medal of Arts recipient.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2025
Since the prospectors were going her way, the three left town together, with the men on foot, leading the mules.
—Ben East, Outdoor Life, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leading
Adjective
The Glee star is sure to be cheering extra loudly for her best friend and fellow Spring Awakening alum, Jonathan Groff, who is nominated for best actor in a leading role in a musical for his turn as Bobby Darin in Just in Time.
—Breanne L. Heldman, People.com, 9 June 2025
Shirley was the first African American tenor to perform a leading role at the Metropolitan Opera, a professor at The University of Michigan, and a National Medal of Arts recipient.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
Verb
They’ve also been accused of taunting Alex for two days in a row, leading him to cover his ears and rock back and forth in anxiety.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2025
Since the prospectors were going her way, the three left town together, with the men on foot, leading the mules.
—Ben East, Outdoor Life, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leading
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leading
Adjective
-
Israel hit Iran’s main enrichment site at Natanz, its leading nuclear scientists, and struck the heart of its ballistic missile program, Netanyahu said.—
Spencer Kimball,Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
13 June 2025
-
While the official investigation is still underway, early video and expert reviews have pointed to a few main theories.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
Adjective
-
Despite its commanding presence, the Navigator doesn’t drive like a tank.—
Victoria Uwumarogie,
Essence,
17 June 2025
-
The 1794 doesn’t have what was expected, a commanding road presence.—
James Raia,
Mercury News,
16 June 2025
Verb
-
Alvarez drops to receive Almada’s pass before guiding it first time to Fernandez.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
The Athletic,
23 Mar. 2025
-
Finding and embracing the traces of making—on both intimate and environmental scales—has become her guiding creative principle.—
Sheldon Pearce,
The New Yorker,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Weezer recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Blue Album, along with an accompanying tour and festival circuit.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Like most wireless cameras, the P1 Max is easy to install and requires only a few screws and a few minutes of time in the accompanying app.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
What matters is that Dan Hurley’s team won, extending its tournament winning streak to 13 games — and, most importantly, keeping alive its dream of a three-peat.—
Brendan Marks,
The Athletic,
22 Mar. 2025
-
By extending the narrative beyond the confines of a talent agency’s office, the series aims to be both a celebration of Madrid’s cultural scene and a reflection of the industry’s inner workings.—
Jamie Lang,
Variety,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Guys weren't expecting to have to do another rebuild this year and their frustration is really showing after the trade a week before training camp has left the team, again, with some odd fitting parts that have to be fitted together on the fly.—
John Hollinger,
The Athletic,
6 Jan. 2025
-
Back in October, TMZ reported news of an alleged split between the pair, but shortly after, the couple was spotted in Tokyo showing much love and affection to one another.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The group features Comstock on lead vocals, along with drummer James Brownstein and Hayden Tree, who’s also the lead singer for Crown the Empire, on bass.—
Katie Bain,
Billboard,
20 June 2025
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How Real-Time Signals Yield Higher Conversion Rates Companies that leverage real-time intent signals consistently see higher conversion rates than those relying on traditional lead generation methods.—
Fenil Suchak,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
Verb
-
But Warren also gave off the impression he will be heavily involved in steering everything.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Dec. 2024
-
Social media has flipped the power dynamic, turning memes into tools for steering these rivalries.—
Stephanie Gravalese,
Forbes,
10 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Leading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leading. Accessed 23 Jun. 2025.
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