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
Julia Teti, Footwear News, 13 May 2026
At that time, it was revealed Francesca Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd) and Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza) would be the new leading couple.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 13 May 2026
Ime Ekpo, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Diving instructor Gianluca Benedetti’s body was found at the mouth of the cave, leading authorities to believe the other four remain inside, Shareef said.
—Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for leading
Adjective
As part of her trip, the Princess of Wales will explore leading approaches to early child development, with a focus on creativity, relationships and hands-on discovery.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 13 May 2026
At that time, it was revealed Francesca Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd) and Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza) would be the new leading couple.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 13 May 2026
Verb
What makes the Spotify performance particularly worth noting is the context leading into it.
—Ime Ekpo, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Diving instructor Gianluca Benedetti’s body was found at the mouth of the cave, leading authorities to believe the other four remain inside, Shareef said.
—Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for leading
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leading
Adjective
-
Plenty of helpful signs are posted throughout, and main paths traverse the park.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
-
This intersection between kitchens and spirits spills over from main courses into desserts too.—
Carinne Geil Botta,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
Xi’s expected to be a commanding presence as host, opposite a US president known more for relying on gut instinct than meticulous preparation.—
Sylvie Zhuang,
CNN Money,
13 May 2026
-
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
Verb
-
There are a few guiding principles for us.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
15 May 2026
-
Marmion succeeds Rick Baker, who retired after guiding the CBAA for 38 years.—
Sportico Staff,
Sportico.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
The Jupiter softball team is heading to the state final four as the host Warriors cruised past Centennial 15-0 in three innings in a 7A regional final on Thursday night.—
Alex Kushel,
Sun Sentinel,
15 May 2026
-
The stalemate that existed has been broken, and the Republicans now seem likely to obtain a meaningful edge heading into the midterms.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
The stadium organist, Dwayne Hilton, played accompanying music and got everyone involved.—
Warren Mayes,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2026
-
The stadium organist, Dwayne Hilton, played accompanying music and got everyone involved.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Speculators had been maintaining a net short position that set records for both its depth (in data for futures and options extending back to the 2006, a low near 90,000 contracts was set in October) and duration (net short positions started in April 2024 and ended March 2026).—
SJ Guest Editorial,
Footwear News,
18 May 2026
-
Over the last five years, there has been a significant shift in how fashion and sports intersect, both on and off the court, with athletes’ influence extending beyond the court and into culture at large.—
Darian Symoné Harvin,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
However, there is no definitive national ranking from 2013 showing Los Angeles and New York City tied as the safest big cities in the country.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
-
Fourth, epidemiologists suspect that hantavirus is most contagious when an infected person is showing symptoms, whereas SARS-CoV-2 can readily be transmitted by seemingly healthy people.—
Allison Parshall,
Scientific American,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
Mark Fuhrman was the lead case detective in the 1994 murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2026
-
Professor Terhi Piltonen, an international co-lead from Oulu University and Oulu University Hospital, said researchers were careful to avoid reproductive terminology that could compound stigma in some parts of the world.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leading. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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