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

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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
His endurance as an affable leading man, capable of keeping the audience on the side of a textually hubristic war general, is likely to at least earn him a third Best Actor nomination. — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 22 July 2026 Almost every one hinges on high-profile cameos, which is fun at first but increasingly feels like the show distrusting its own protagonist to shoulder leading man duties. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2026
Verb
The WaPo-Ipsos poll shows Democrats leading Republicans by 3 percentage points, 48% to 45%, two years after Kamala Harris' 2024 loss to Trump. — Jay Stahl, USA Today, 19 July 2026 This wind phone is on the grounds of the City of Hope, one of the country’s leading cancer centers. — Staff Photographer, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 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
  • Also, the arena operates with one main kitchen; the hope is to have kitchens on all three levels to enhance fans’ concession experience.
    — Jason Quick, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • Tourism – the island’s main economic lifeline – was down 58% in the first five months of 2026 compared with the year before.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 19 July 2026
Definition of main
Adjective
  • The Mariners now sit a game and a half behind the Rangers, who have more of a commanding lead of the American League West.
    — Cal Phillips Updated July 24, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 July 2026
  • Edwards, who had been the commanding officer of HSC-5 since July 2025, was posthumously promoted to captain, the Navy said in a statement.
    — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026
Definition of commanding
Verb
  • On Joseph’s team, Aaron says the Gullah Geechee people and their deftness with indigo dye are guiding the designers’ shades of blue.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 July 2026
  • Covered in warm wood, a 24-foot self-supporting sculptural staircase connects the two floors, guiding clients upward beneath a natural skylight to the second floor.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 23 July 2026
Definition of guiding
Verb
  • Cruz wants to finalize a deal before the college sports season begins in late August, to give athletes and colleges some certainty heading into the academic year.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 20 July 2026
  • The potential player pool heading into the World Cup feels vast.
    — Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Definition of heading
Verb
  • The season does a decent job of seeding its few ongoing story arcs and some of its recurring jokes, especially the song and subsequent outtake accompanying each week’s closing credits, are sturdy.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2026
  • Photos accompanying the post show staff tending to the eagle, who appears massive on a medical table.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026
Definition of accompanying
Verb
  • The Oakwood and Flowery Branch police departments will help make immigration arrests, extending the reach of federal immigration enforcement inside Hall County, one of Georgia’s largest immigrant enclaves.
    — Lautaro Grinspan, AJC.com, 25 July 2026
  • Italian art critic and curator Cloe Piccoli has been selected as the new artistic director of Milan’s miart fair for a term extending from 2027–29.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 24 July 2026
Definition of extending
Verb
  • Amidst stagnant wages and economic uncertainty, Aura's focus on mindset as a key metric for financial well-being is proving timely, with health insurers now showing interest in their behavioral approach.
    — Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • In relation to this turbulent time, Venice has never shied away from showing difficult films.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 23 July 2026
Definition of showing
Adjective
  • Because, as a one-off measure, FIFA would not have been the primary beneficiary.
    — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • Detectives identified Stevenson Tuimavave as the primary suspect and obtained warrants for his arrest and a search of his home, police said.
    — Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 21 July 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 26 Jul. 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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