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
Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 1 May 2026
When leading scorers Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves were both injured in an April 2 game, coach JJ Redick admitted things felt bleak for the Los Angeles Lakers.
—ABC News, 1 May 2026
Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 10 May 2026
China is the world’s leading drone manufacturer, and the numbers of unmanned weapons systems its manufacturers can produce is staggering, according to analysts.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for leading
Adjective
Radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer.
—Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 1 May 2026
When leading scorers Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves were both injured in an April 2 game, coach JJ Redick admitted things felt bleak for the Los Angeles Lakers.
—ABC News, 1 May 2026
Verb
In one of the big surprises of the evening, the leading actress award went to Narges Rashidi for Prisoner 951, who beat out a who’s who of British talent.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 10 May 2026
China is the world’s leading drone manufacturer, and the numbers of unmanned weapons systems its manufacturers can produce is staggering, according to analysts.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for leading
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leading
Adjective
-
One of the book’s main themes is that trauma and damage, like red hair or skill with animals, can be handed down from one generation to the next.—
Chris Hewitt,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2026
-
Two smaller structures rise to six floors each, alongside the 20-story main tower.—
Adam Williams
May 09,
New Atlas,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
Senior midfielder Meghan O’Donnell, who scored her eighth goal of the season during Libertyville’s 3-2 win over Waubonsie Valley on Thursday, said Chung is a commanding presence.—
Bobby Narang,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
Few materials feel so commanding and permanent as concrete.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Kerr earned the 2015-16 NBA Coach of the Year award after guiding the Warriors to an NBA-record 73-9 mark during the regular season.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
10 May 2026
-
These trials established both its therapeutic potential and its side effects, guiding dosage and treatment protocols.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
The couple, who got married in 2012 and share four kids, seem interested in packing their bags and heading across the pond for a while.—
Allison DeGrushe,
StyleCaster,
7 May 2026
-
The intersection carries a heavy mix of airport traffic, including rental cars, taxis, ride-share vehicles, hotel shuttles and workers heading to and from Miami International Airport.—
Theo Karantsalis,
Miami Herald,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
No Doubt's Adrian Young, Gwen Stefani, Tony Kanal and Tom Dumont tour The No Doubt Experience, the immersive fan pop-up accompanying their Las Vegas residency at Sphere.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
-
The accompanying bathroom sports dual quartz vanities and an oversize porcelain shower topped by an arched clerestory window.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Small adjustments made big differences, like increasing pocket sizes to better fit the tennis balls and, with Sabet’s suggestion, extending her coat to the floor.—
Kaio Cesar,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
-
Mominul followed his 91 with 56 in the second innings, extending his rich form with five half-centuries in a row and became the Bangladesh batter to reach 5,000 runs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
In October 2025, a report was released by Blue Water Baltimore and Waterfront Partnership, showing that some areas in the harbor were improving and other areas were headed in the wrong direction.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
-
The documents include more than 20 video files showing unidentified objects captured by military sensors in locations from Syria and Japan to North America.—
Seung Min Kim,
Chicago Tribune,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
The lawsuit claims that Santana was the lead detective assigned to the case, while Smith was the sergeant who supervised the investigative team.—
Sarah Perkel,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
-
In real life, Bezos was the lead funder of the ball, skirting the red carpet and holding court at the party in comfort and style.—
Megan Garber,
The Atlantic,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leading. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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