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
Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
While several ambitious Democratic governors emerged as leading voices of opposition to the administration, Whitmer adopted a more conciliatory approach, emphasizing cooperation with the White House on issues affecting Michigan.
—Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026
Yumi Asada, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
His unwavering fealty to the president and destruction of institutional norms should disqualify him from leading the only agency with its foundation -- foundational virtue in its name.
—ABC News, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for leading
Adjective
Read on to see how this challenge takes shape across functions and industries — and how leading companies are responding.
—Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
While several ambitious Democratic governors emerged as leading voices of opposition to the administration, Whitmer adopted a more conciliatory approach, emphasizing cooperation with the White House on issues affecting Michigan.
—Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026
Verb
Kawata plans to appoint a deputy to fill in during her absence leading the city of nearly 70,000 people, which sits about 285 miles southwest from Tokyo.
—Yumi Asada, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
His unwavering fealty to the president and destruction of institutional norms should disqualify him from leading the only agency with its foundation -- foundational virtue in its name.
—ABC News, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for leading
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leading
Adjective
-
Kevin Cook, the venue’s main host and inarguably the reigning queen of drag in Portland.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
Pashinyan’s main rival is the Strong Armenia Party, which wants closer business ties with Russia and accuses Pashinyan of attempting to spark a war with Moscow.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 June 2026
Adjective
-
Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento took a commanding lead in the race for the District 2 seat on the OC Board of Supervisors as results were released following the close of polls Tuesday night.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
3 June 2026
-
Ellis is the commanding general of the 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson in Colorado.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Once deployed, Pegasus will be monitored from Earth, with teams in Colorado guiding operations in real time.—
Karen Morfitt,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
-
The incident has deepened concerns about the safety of Nepali workers on the mountain, which has seen an explosion of commercial guiding outfitters in recent years.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
The man was heading home when two men pulled him over on the 110 Freeway onramp from Redondo Beach Boulevard, according to the plea agreement.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2026
-
Now 25, Woods Richardson is heading back to Toronto, acquired by the Blue Jays on Wednesday in a trade for cash considerations.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Knicks fans, though, do not seem to be concerned so much with his politics, but that his attendance — and the hoopla accompanying it — could mess up the team’s momentum.—
Michael R. Sisak,
Fortune,
7 June 2026
-
An accompanying photograph shows Glimcher holding the viewer’s gaze, his right hand outstretched on the desk, clenched in a tight fist.—
Devorah Lauter,
ARTnews.com,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
The original 1900 barn has been expanded into a five-bedroom, open-plan home with decks extending from both levels and a 25-foot-tall great room topped by a loft with wood railings.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
8 June 2026
-
Right fielder Jung Hoo Lee stayed white-hot by extending his MLB-leading hitting streak to 15 games with an opposite-field RBI single in the top of the first.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
On the front of the card was a scan of his brain showing the tumor on it.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
-
Bloomberg reported there had been complaints of Manifold showing aggressive behavior toward employees and mishandling sensitive information.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
It was brought together over the last seven years by longtime friends Bradley Strauchen-Scherer, Curator in the Department of Musical Instruments, and the lead sponsor, Barbara Tober.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
9 June 2026
-
Avery Regan completed a hat trick in the early stages of the second quarter, as the Skippers tacked on five more goals to watch their lead balloon to 11-0.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leading. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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