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

This is especially important — breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among American women. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 15 Oct. 2026

Last week, the militia took a leading role in an operation to retake the strategically vital Red Sea port of Mocha, captured by the Houthis last month. — Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026

Verb

Datafolha found Bolsonaro leading among evangelicals by 62% to 29%, while Lula led among Catholics by 52% to 42%. — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026

With the status of leading rusher Jeremy Payne up in the air, TCU will have to lean more into this offensive identity to support a defense and special teams unit playing at such an elite level. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026

Phrases Containing leading

• leading edge