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
Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 1 May 2026
When leading scorers Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves were both injured in an April 2 game, coach JJ Redick admitted things felt bleak for the Los Angeles Lakers.
—ABC News, 1 May 2026
Zeynep Portway, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 May 2026
When Washington Nationals Manager Blake Butera looked back on Friday night’s loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, the two errors — adding to his team’s MLB-leading total — stood out to him.
—Danielle Allentuck, Washington Post, 3 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for leading
Adjective
Radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer.
—Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 1 May 2026
When leading scorers Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves were both injured in an April 2 game, coach JJ Redick admitted things felt bleak for the Los Angeles Lakers.
—ABC News, 1 May 2026
Verb
Zeynep Portway has been executive director of the Samaritan Resource Center in East Orlando since 2020, leading efforts to provide essential services, connect people to housing, and create pathways to long-term stability.
—Zeynep Portway, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 May 2026
When Washington Nationals Manager Blake Butera looked back on Friday night’s loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, the two errors — adding to his team’s MLB-leading total — stood out to him.
—Danielle Allentuck, Washington Post, 3 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for leading
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leading
Adjective
-
One of the book’s main themes is that trauma and damage, like red hair or skill with animals, can be handed down from one generation to the next.—
Chris Hewitt,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2026
-
Two smaller structures rise to six floors each, alongside the 20-story main tower.—
Adam Williams
May 09,
New Atlas,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
Senior midfielder Meghan O’Donnell, who scored her eighth goal of the season during Libertyville’s 3-2 win over Waubonsie Valley on Thursday, said Chung is a commanding presence.—
Bobby Narang,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
Few materials feel so commanding and permanent as concrete.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Kerr earned the 2015-16 NBA Coach of the Year award after guiding the Warriors to an NBA-record 73-9 mark during the regular season.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
10 May 2026
-
These trials established both its therapeutic potential and its side effects, guiding dosage and treatment protocols.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
The couple, who got married in 2012 and share four kids, seem interested in packing their bags and heading across the pond for a while.—
Allison DeGrushe,
StyleCaster,
7 May 2026
-
The intersection carries a heavy mix of airport traffic, including rental cars, taxis, ride-share vehicles, hotel shuttles and workers heading to and from Miami International Airport.—
Theo Karantsalis,
Miami Herald,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
One of the most pleasantly surprising things about visiting the Florida Keys is seeing how many attractions allow for four-legged visitors accompanying their humans.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 May 2026
-
When a tag is struck, a wearable mic, such as a smartwatch or phone, picks up the sound, and accompanying software identifies exactly which tag was struck based on its unique signature.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
And of course Mike Brown pulled Mitchell Robinson, who missed four straight free throws when the 76ers began intentionally fouling him in the first quarter, only to continue extending the lead despite the Sixers’ attempts at stifling his rotation.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
-
For his part, Becerra supports extending existing measures like Propositions 30 and 55, both of which call for much smaller tax increases on a larger share of citizens.—
Douglas Schoen,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
In October 2025, a report was released by Blue Water Baltimore and Waterfront Partnership, showing that some areas in the harbor were improving and other areas were headed in the wrong direction.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
-
The documents include more than 20 video files showing unidentified objects captured by military sensors in locations from Syria and Japan to North America.—
Seung Min Kim,
Chicago Tribune,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
Sacramento Steps Forward has been the lead agency since 2011.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Death by Lightning is nominated for best limited or anthology series, two nominations for lead performance in a limited or anthology series (Matthew Macfadyen and Michael Shannon) and supporting performance in a limited series (Nick Offerman).—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leading. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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