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
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Recent Examples of leading
Thomas Drance, New York Times, 15 June 2026
Cancer remains the second leading cause of death in the United States, according to the CDC.
—Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
Tim Lister, CNN Money, 21 June 2026
Beyond its production strength, Rio is Brazil’s leading market for domestic cinema, accounting for an average of 71% of audiences and 70% of box office revenue between 1995 and 2024.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for leading
Adjective
Its leading scorer, Blake, is listed as under 6 feet.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 15 June 2026
Cancer remains the second leading cause of death in the United States, according to the CDC.
—Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
Verb
Sánchez and his left-wing Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) came to power when a huge corruption scandal engulfed the center-right People’s Party in 2018, leading it to lose a no-confidence motion.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 21 June 2026
Beyond its production strength, Rio is Brazil’s leading market for domestic cinema, accounting for an average of 71% of audiences and 70% of box office revenue between 1995 and 2024.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for leading
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leading
Adjective
-
The fact that every single main cast member is on the ballot suggests that HBO made sure all main cast members were submitted and then allowed recurring performers to submit themselves.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
20 June 2026
-
However, that change requires the Green Mountain Care Board, the state's main healthcare regulator, to go through a rulemaking process, which would not be finalized by the start of the coming hospital fiscal year in October, delaying the pricing reform implementation.—
OLIVIA GIEGER VTDigger,
Arkansas Online,
20 June 2026
Adjective
-
Or perhaps the Black policemen, who often watched the house without their white commanding officer, secretly sympathized with the uprising.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 June 2026
-
Moments after the Knicks completed the largest comeback in NBA Finals history in Game 4 — erasing a 29-point deficit to take a commanding 3-1 series lead over the San Antonio Spurs — Stiller burst through the postgame interview room doors like the Kool-Aid Man.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Strand explained that one of the show’s guiding narrative principles is prioritizing the perspective of its doctors over smaller characters on the show.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
19 June 2026
-
The lesson stayed with Steve and became a guiding principle in his own approach to parenting.—
Yolanda Harris,
AJC.com,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
Wait for 30 minutes after the final lightning or thunder before heading outside again.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
18 June 2026
-
Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson are heading to Apple TV for a new show, Brothers, which involves no murders and is meant to be rather heartwarming.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Still, the accompanying 4,300-acre ski resort offers eco-adventures year-round, from river rafting and mountain biking to snowshoeing and ziplining.—
Sierra Vandervort,
Travel + Leisure,
20 June 2026
-
There is a much lower chance for accompanying thunder.—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
The Orioles made those big moves in signing Pete Alonso and trading for and extending Shane Baz.—
Stephen J. Nesbitt,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
Different genes for different cytokines, growth factors or other proteins could be swapped in to target specific diseases of the ocular surface, potentially extending the approach beyond corneal wounds to chronic inflammatory conditions.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
On Wednesday, a TikTok user posted a video showing a woman who, from afar, resembled Swift standing on a balcony of her $17 million seaside home in Rhode Island.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
20 June 2026
-
Ancelotti pointed out that a number of underdogs at this year’s World Cup have been showing great intensity.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
National Institutes of Health announced that the agency, along with researchers from the University of Florida, would begin clinical trials on mitragynine, the primary psychoactive compound in kratom, to evaluate its potential as a treatment for opioid use disorder.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
Furthermore, buildings must now identify backup service providers to ensure repairs can be made even if primary companies are unavailable or out of business.—
Joan Murray,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leading. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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