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

Australian companies have taken a leading role in Brazil, accounting for 695 mining applications. — ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026

The World Health Organization lists schizophrenia among the top 10 leading causes of disability. — Matthew Kurtz, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

Lynn replaced Alex Grinch, who was fired before finishing his second season leading a defense that was porous and poor, ranking as the 94th and 121st most generous defense in the nation in 2022 and ’23, respectively. — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

For example, a new Texas Southern University poll shows Talarico leading in congressional districts Trump won in 2024. — Jay Stahl, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing leading

• leading edge