Synonyms of leading

leading 1 of 2

adjective

ˈlē-diŋ 

1

as in main

coming before all others in importance

they are the leading suppliers of processed meat in the country

Synonyms & Similar Words

• main
• greatest
• highest
• primary
• dominant
• predominant
• foremost
• first
• big
• principal
• key
• chief
• central
• supreme
• premier
• paramount
• prior
• overriding
• great
• cardinal
• master
• distinguished
• preeminent
• sovereign
• top
• number one
• major
• capital
• overbearing
• grand
• primal
• eminent
• notable
• outstanding
• senior
• prestigious
• illustrious
• overmastering
• arch
• high-level
• important
• noteworthy
• influential
• superior
• stellar
• numero uno
• signal
• renowned
• star
• significant
• famed
• famous
• mighty
• unparalleled
• momentous
• celebrated
• incomparable
• unequaled
• noble
• unsurpassed
• matchless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• least
• last
• minor
• slight
• negligible
• secondary
• insignificant
• trivial
• unimportant
• subordinate
• inferior
• collateral
• inconsequential
• trifling
• subsidiary
• inconsiderable

2

as in commanding

highest in rank or authority

served as the leading counsel on the defendant's legal team

Synonyms & Similar Words

• commanding
• lead
• chief
• presiding
• top
• foremost
• supreme
• senior
• primary
• first
• principal
• high
• prime
• head
• premier
• in charge
• main
• preeminent
• managing
• major
• high-level
• supereminent
• overseeing
• predominant
• controlling
• dominant
• reigning
• supervisory
• directing
• paramount
• upper
• ruling
• predominate
• sovereign
• superior
• ascendant
• uppermost
• officiating
• topmost
• regnant
• grand
• upmost

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• second
• less
• lower
• last
• secondary
• lesser
• subordinate
• subsidiary
• ancillary
• inferior
• lowly
• assisting
• junior
• assistant
• under
• deputy
• coadjutor

leading

2 of 2

verb

present participle of lead

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

• guiding
• steering
• accompanying
• showing
• conducting
• directing
• ushering
• escorting
• routing
• preceding
• piloting
• marshaling
• managing
• attending
• controlling
• seeing
• chaperoning
• convoying

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• trailing
• following
• tailing
• shadowing
• hounding
• dogging
• tailgating

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

• commanding
• heading
• captaining
• spearheading
• overseeing
• dominating
• controlling
• managing
• bossing
• directing
• supervising
• governing
• regulating
• handling
• running
• superintending

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• following
• serving
• submitting (to)
• yielding (to)
• obeying
• complying (with)
• bowing (to)
• deferring (to)

3

as in accompanying

to be at the front of

the local high school's marching band led the parade

Synonyms & Similar Words

• accompanying
• preceding
• attending
• heading
• announcing
• escorting
• ushering
• heralding

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ending
• finishing
• stopping
• terminating
• concluding
• following
• trailing
• tailing
• tailgating
• dogging

4

as in extending

to be positioned along a certain course or in a certain direction

this old road leads to an abandoned quarry

Synonyms & Similar Words

• extending
• running
• going
• heading
• lying
• crossing
• following
• passing
• bearing
• cutting
• spanning
• traversing
• coursing

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

• guiding
• showing
• accompanying
• coaching
• steering
• teaching
• informing
• shepherding
• mentoring
• escorting
• tutoring
• walking through
• training
• piloting
• counseling
• supervising
• engineering
• directing
• swaying
• overseeing
• attending
• seeing
• convoying
• instructing
• drilling
• superintending
• godfathering
• fostering
• chaperoning
• briefing
• enlightening
• squiring
• inculcating
• indoctrinating
• schooling
• cultivating
• nurturing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of leading

Adjective

Our cable portfolio features more than 50 channels globally, connecting viewers with culture-defining entertainment, kids and family programming and leading lifestyle brands. — Michael Schneider, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026

LeBron James debuted a new bald look and sounded ready to get to work as the Philadelphia 76ers held their first Media Day since signing the NBA's leading scorer. — Joe Brandt, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026

Verb

Matthew Stafford leading a late comeback against the Philadelphia Eagles was vintage Stafford, but his struggles with interceptions has the Rams quarterback looking to improve. — Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation into the circumstances of Saturday’s incident, aided by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. — Sarah Dewberry, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2026

Phrases Containing leading

• leading edge