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
Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Both men appeared side-by-side during an energy hearing Tuesday before the House Environment and Transportation Committee, though Barve took a leading role.
—Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 26 Jan. 2026
Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 Feb. 2026
In 2024, Patrick's widow Lisa Niemi Swayze teamed up with leading non profit Pancreatic Cancer Action Network to help raise awareness of the disease and increase funding for research.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for leading
Adjective
Screening for Colorectal Cancer Is Vital Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death after lung cancer.
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Both men appeared side-by-side during an energy hearing Tuesday before the House Environment and Transportation Committee, though Barve took a leading role.
—Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
Before working with the Rams, LaFleur joined Saleh with the New York Jets, leading their offense in the same role.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 Feb. 2026
In 2024, Patrick's widow Lisa Niemi Swayze teamed up with leading non profit Pancreatic Cancer Action Network to help raise awareness of the disease and increase funding for research.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for leading
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leading
Adjective
-
But that wasn’t his main concern.—
Tami Luhby,
CNN Money,
1 Feb. 2026
-
What separates Hush from other slasher films of its ilk is how Flanagan and Siegel give its main character sharp instincts and depth, as well as a frightening use of silence.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Year after year Samsung had an increasingly greater, ever-more commanding presence at CES.—
Jan Wagner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Uganda’s longtime President Yoweri Museveni took a commanding lead in early election results as reports of deadly violence emerged following Thursday’s vote.—
Preeti Jha,
semafor.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Quiet healing calls as compassionate Venus redirects lucky Jupiter, guiding your 12th House of Solitude to coexist with your 5th House of Parties.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The music and sub-beat are calming, as is the soft female voice guiding me quietly through a meditation.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Wearng a red plaid overshirt for the occasion, Pax was spotted chatting to the men behind the drama, which stars Adrian Grenier, before heading to a party at the Park City, Utah, festival.—
Clare Fisher,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Fans began heading for the exits, and Mazzulla pulled his regulars, sending in Williams and wing Josh Minott.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Endeavour gold is segregated from other sources, refined, and sent to the Bettses’ refinery and other casting houses—stamped with a serial number and accompanying QR code for verification.—
Jill Newman,
Robb Report,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The grounds are now open to visitors, who can explore the estate’s garden, stable yard, nearby nature paths and accompanying restaurant.—
Kayla Keegan,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In fact, extending the lives of the sick and elderly can impose net costs on society’s ledgers, costs which government regulatory analyses typically ignore.—
James Broughel,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The court said the injunction effectively amounted to a universal injunction by extending relief to a sweeping, uncertified class of protesters and observers.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Among the documents released Friday were emails dated from 2012 to 2013, showing Musk's name but with his email address redacted.—
Lora Kolodny,
CNBC,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Multiple videos that emerged of the shooting contradicted that claim, showing the intensive care nurse had only his mobile phone in his hand as officers tackled him to the ground, with one removing a handgun from the back of Pretti’s pants as another officer began firing shots into his back.—
Michael Biesecker,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The new study found that in Utah, lead exposure peaked between 1960 and 1964 at 120 times modern rates; previous research has found enormous falls in Europe.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Rasheed Owens, the lead curator for the installation, spent the last four and a half weeks working on the bedroom.—
Cam'ron Hardy,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leading. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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