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
William Earl, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
Obesity is a global health challenge and the fourth leading cause of mortality, affecting over 890 million adults worldwide.
—Jay Kakade
august 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2025
Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
In the years since, home prices have surged and the nation’s housing shortage has deepened — conditions that risk leading some young adults to give up on the dream of homeownership altogether.
—Sara Chernikoff, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leading
Adjective
This event and partnership that goes back to 2018, serves to celebrate women in the cinematic arts, convening leading talent, filmmakers, and executives from the festival.
—William Earl, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
Obesity is a global health challenge and the fourth leading cause of mortality, affecting over 890 million adults worldwide.
—Jay Kakade
august 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2025
Verb
HarbourView Equity Partners is leading a $30 million investment in Lion Forge Entertainment, one of the entertainment studios behind the Oscar-winning Hair Love.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
In the years since, home prices have surged and the nation’s housing shortage has deepened — conditions that risk leading some young adults to give up on the dream of homeownership altogether.
—Sara Chernikoff, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leading
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leading
Adjective
-
The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), which has organized dozens of boats to sail to Gaza carrying humanitarian aid, said that one of its main vessels was targeted in a drone strike just after midnight local time on Tuesday while docked near the Tunisian capital.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Tribhuvan International Airport, the country's main international airport, was also shut down due to smoke in the area.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
For cruising around town while keeping tabs on the surrounding potholes, traffic and pedestrians, however, many cyclists prefer the more commanding, upright, back-friendly stance offered by a flat handlebar.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
9 Sep. 2025
-
As one of the world’s largest tech giants, Google’s position in the space is a commanding one, though competition from the likes of Meta, OpenAI and others is fierce.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
However, Langley, who has plays a key role in guiding the franchise as NBCUniversal Studio Group and Chief Content Officer, said part of the success of the long-running series has been its adaptability.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Gia Love, who first started the cookout five years ago in Bed-Stuy’s Herbert Von King Park, continues to be a guiding force behind the day’s celebrations.—
Essence,
Essence,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
That was a big storyline heading into Friday night.—
Jesse Newell,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Wait for 30 minutes after the final lightning or thunder before heading outside again.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The upgraded exhaust system is a delight, burbling happily at idle, accompanying acceleration with a happy snort.—
Mark Phelan,
Freep.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Explaining The Basis For The Transfer A transfer that has an accompanying explanation might at first glance seem to be the proper way to field this new approach.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Next week, Paramount+ will launch a new multiview feature, initially for the kickoff of CBS Sports’ UEFA soccer coverage — and eventually extending to other content on the streamer.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Iran sees its involvement in Sudan as a gateway for extending its footprint in Africa.—
Paul Tilsley,
FOXNews.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The semiconductor industry and the equipment that support that industry are showing robust continuous growth in most parts of the world supporting consumer, industrial and data center applications.—
Thomas Coughlin,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Investigators found notebooks filled with hate, violent thoughts and admiration for mass murderers, showing clear signs of deep mental instability.—
Oren Oppenheim,
ABC News,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Indeed, the only character from The Office that actually carried over into the new series is Oscar, who serves as the lead accountant for Softees but gets dragooned into reporting and constructing Sudokus for the paper.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
This is analyzed by a mass spectrometer to count uranium and lead atoms.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Leading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leading. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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