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
Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Now, Michael has switched sides in a battle involving a different startup — this time taking a leading role in the Pentagon’s dispute with artificial intelligence pioneer Anthropic PBC.
—Rebecca Torrence, Bloomberg, 7 Mar. 2026
Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Mar. 2026
That was a bold ask, considering that about 60% of the GOP primary voters didn't want Cornyn to win and a different 60% didn't want Paxton leading the Texas ticket against Democrat James Talarico in the general election.
—John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for leading
Adjective
Among the players unavailable were midfielder Jude Bellingham and leading scorer Kylian Mbappe.
—Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Now, Michael has switched sides in a battle involving a different startup — this time taking a leading role in the Pentagon’s dispute with artificial intelligence pioneer Anthropic PBC.
—Rebecca Torrence, Bloomberg, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
But that skepticism served as fuel for some Horned Frogs like leading scorer David Punch.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Mar. 2026
That was a bold ask, considering that about 60% of the GOP primary voters didn't want Cornyn to win and a different 60% didn't want Paxton leading the Texas ticket against Democrat James Talarico in the general election.
—John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for leading
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leading
Adjective
-
Tucked away off Lagos’ Admiralty Way main road, you’d be forgiven for mistaking its polite green exterior for something residential upon viewing.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Mar. 2026
-
This main compartment is also lined with pockets that are perfect for storing small eye shadow palettes or bronzers.—
Sarah Han,
Allure,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Republicans have a less commanding lead, 52-44, among Catholics.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Mar. 2026
-
He's gone from about halfway down the list in the betting odds to having a pretty commanding lead over Johnson in Atlanta.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Last month, the district reopened applications to the 14-member Black Student Achievement Committee — tasked with guiding implementation — despite originally planning to launch it in the fall.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Arnaud Desplechin may be regarded as one of France’s quintessential auteurs, but American cinema has long been a guiding force in his imagination.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
On Thursday, Morataya-Zepeda made another visit to the ICE office, emerging later with the attorneys before heading to another office to be fitted with an ankle monitor.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Mike LaFleur, who served as the Los Angeles Rams’ offensive coordinator, is his replacement heading into 2026.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The girl has been accompanying her father at numerous high-profile events such as missile tests and military parades since late 2022, stoking outside speculation that she’s being groomed as his heir.—
Hyung-Jin Kim,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Mar. 2026
-
More than a decade ago, Santa Clara County in Northern California figured out that the biggest expense accompanying a large homeless population wasn’t a social service or police patrol, but health care.—
Blake Nelson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The team can open up additional cap space by releasing, trading, restructuring or extending contracts.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Benchmark futures jumped as much as 30% on Monday, extending their biggest weekly advance since the energy crisis.—
Priscila Azevedo Rocha,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But authorities ultimately found Chapman through phone records showing multiple calls between him and Jalloh in the week prior to the shooting, according to the affidavit.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Friday’s memo also reaffirms that Austin police will be expected to turn over body camera footage showing potential misconduct by federal agents to the Travis County District Attorney’s Office.—
Emiliano Tahui Gómez,
Austin American Statesman,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The lead plaintiff is Officer Samantha Fiedler.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The longtime Boston fan became its lead vocalist after original frontman Brad Delp died in 2007.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leading. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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