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
Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025
Importantly, the company’s technology, which includes materials used for the actual polishing and etching (lithography) of chips, as well as advanced packaging and thermal solutions, is integral for the development of leading-edge chips.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
Okla Jones, Essence, 21 Oct. 2025
As one of the event’s leading sponsors, Michael Kors‘ designs were strewn across the red carpet, worn by Hathaway, Gigi Hadid and more famous attendees.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leading
Adjective
Studios with a deal for FilmRise, a leading indie distributor of digital streaming content.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025
Importantly, the company’s technology, which includes materials used for the actual polishing and etching (lithography) of chips, as well as advanced packaging and thermal solutions, is integral for the development of leading-edge chips.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
Major League Soccer is tapping in the culture in a brand new way, and Issa Rae is leading the charge.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 21 Oct. 2025
As one of the event’s leading sponsors, Michael Kors‘ designs were strewn across the red carpet, worn by Hathaway, Gigi Hadid and more famous attendees.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leading
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leading
Adjective
-
As for Sundance’s main slate of world premiere films, the festival is still heads down screening some half a dozen movies a day ahead of lineup announcements later this fall.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The verdict of the Specialized Criminal Court in the city of Banska Bystrica closes a trial that began in July and whose main question was whether Cintula, who admitted shooting Fico, was guilty of terrorism or less serious crimes of murder or attack.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Instead, Reeves became Estragon, the more simplistic and long-suffering of the duo, while Winter tackled Vladimir, the more commanding and verbose character.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Since the late 90s, Jungen has forged a name for himself internationally through his commanding sculptural practice.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But in this case, the Nuggets might not have enough room on their books for Watson next summer, if avoiding the second apron remains a guiding principle for team ownership.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Many feature regions with differing mechanical properties, guiding robots with complex, adaptable movements.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Russian air defense systems destroyed one drone heading for Moscow, the city’s mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Sunday, according to Reuters.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The Warriors are still thin in the backcourt heading into Friday’s game with De’Anthony Melton (knee) and Moses Moody (calf) still sidelined.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Aleister Black made a new entrance, this time with his real-life wife, Zelina Vega, accompanying him.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
-
To find out when yours needs to be replaced, refer to the instructions that came with your model and accompanying filter.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
At that time, voters approved extending a capital-improvement property tax at the current rate to fund six categories of projects, including a new Little Rock District Court facility.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Oct. 2025
-
In 2019, during the 35-day shutdown, the number of absences by controllers and TSA officers rose as workers missed paychecks, extending checkpoint wait times at some airports.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But for all the president’s demands, his leverage over Beijing is showing cracks as the Chinese economy continues to go from strength to strength.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Gas prices are viewed as an important economic indicator, although lower prices don’t guarantee a booming economy, and recent news and data points are showing an economy in which wealthy Americans appear to be spending freely, while poorer households seem to be pulling back.—
Frank Witsil,
Freep.com,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The 3,600-ton diesel-electric submarine is the lead vessel in the second batch of South Korea’s homegrown Changbogo-III program.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Oct. 2025
-
In a September 2025 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Bell, who plays the lead character Joanne, opened up about Brody and Tohn’s real-life partners being featured in the series.—
Ariana Quihuiz,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Leading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leading. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
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