leading 1 of 2

adjective

ˈlē-diŋ How to pronounce leading (audio)
Definition of leadingnext
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

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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in accompanying
to be at the front of the local high school's marching band led the parade

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in extending
to be positioned along a certain course or in a certain direction this old road leads to an abandoned quarry

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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. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of leading
Adjective
These conditions now rank as the second leading cause of death worldwide after cardiovascular disease. — Aaron Timm, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 For Bennett, 45, leading man material comes down to being genuine, both on and off the screen. — Eleanor Jacobs, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026
Verb
The first-stage booster for this mission is making its fleet-leading 37th trip to space and will attempt a recovery landing downrange on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas stationed in the Atlantic. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2026 Birla Studios said the project reflects Birla’s interest in working with some of the leading current names in Indian cinema. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for leading
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leading
  1. main
  2. commanding
  3. guiding
  4. heading
  5. accompanying
  6. extending
  7. showing
  8. primary
Adjective
  • For the first time in almost a month, a large tanker last week began loading crude at the western terminal of Iran’s main export hub Kharg Island, Windward said.
    — Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The team behind the project, presented during the second edition of Open Doors with a focus on films from Africa, was one of the two main winners of the Open Doors Grant.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of main
Adjective
  • Adrián Marín set up the play with his pass to Tiago as Orlando took what seemed to be a commanding lead in the second half.
    — Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Arendt comes most fully alive, though, when Meyer lets her own extravagant, commanding voice carry the story forward.
    — David Denby, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of commanding
Verb
  • Sharp has traditionally paid its employees to attend an all-hands recognition event for those deemed by their peers to best meet the organization’s guiding principles.
    — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
  • After the 2008 financial crisis, the Fed began more deliberately guiding the market to near certainty on the trajectory of rates heading into its meetings.
    — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of guiding
Verb
  • Open interest in perpetual futures, a measure of outstanding positions, had climbed sharply heading into Friday evening.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The bore heading eastbound into Chinatown will close for about seven months, with one lane of traffic open in each direction in the other bore.
    — Sooji Nam, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of heading
Verb
  • The New York Times ran a rosy story in advance of his debut with accompanying videos of Roth in a white gown.
    — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The near flattening of Gaza by Israel – with the accompanying death toll of more than 70,000 Palestinians, both civilians and combatants – has captured world attention.
    — Dina Kraft, Christian Science Monitor, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of accompanying
Verb
  • And given that, and the high state and municipal taxes many households and businesses face, Fazio added, Connecticut should tighten retirement benefits again before extending them next summer.
    — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026
  • And Mendoza took another big hit on the final play of his third drive while extending out of the pocket.
    — Sam Warren, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of extending
Verb
  • The family involved in a viral video showing a confrontation with Royse City police was allowed to review dash‑camera and body‑camera footage from the incident for the first time Thursday.
    — Marissa Armas, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • From the 12-yard line, Williams got off the line of scrimmage with ease, showing his ability to release quickly.
    — Chad Graff, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of showing
Adjective
  • That becomes particularly important when organizations rely on pop-up conversations and informal check-ins as their primary means of staying aligned.
    — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The vast majority of girls are enrolled in primary education, at a rate higher than for boys.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of primary

Phrases Containing leading

Browse Nearby Words

lead-in
leading
leading edge
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Cite this Entry

“Leading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leading. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on leading

Nglish: Translation of leading for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about leading

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