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

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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
On September 14, Matthew Rhys made Emmys history twice, becoming the first person to win two awards for leading roles during the same ceremony and the first performer to win in all three leading categories. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026 What will the Heat’s new leading duo of center Bam Adebayo and Antetokounmpo look like? — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026
Verb
The former Bloomington, Illinois, rodeo rider spends much of his retirement leading the Illinois chapter of the Back Country Horsemen of America, a national organization of horse-riding volunteers who help maintain trails and public lands. — Christiana Freitag, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026 Matt Araiza, the punter, finished as the Chiefs’ second-leading rusher. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 4 Oct. 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
  • Homegrown chip design firm SkyeChip also enjoyed a blockbuster IPO on the Bursa Malaysia stock exchange in May, surging 300% on its main market debut.
    — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
  • AbdulSalam Mohammed, president of the Abaad Studies & Research Center and an adviser to Yemen’s Information Ministry, told the Washington Examiner that government forces are currently focused on defending against the Houthis along three main axes.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of main
Adjective
  • Kirkwood had a commanding lead before Palou's spin caused a caution.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of commanding
Verb
  • The guiding principle is an 80/20 sourcing philosophy that means just 20% of the food is imported while 80% is from the archipelago.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The country's guiding principles are, and always have been, the principles of the Declaration.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of guiding
Verb
  • Sandy and Leah have drinks with the crew before heading back to the boat, where Sandy jokingly pretends to cook the dinner that Joy left for them.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Democratic and Republican 2028 contenders alike have been heading to battleground states and districts to boost their names with voters, show campaigning prowess, and make key political allies across important areas of the country.
    — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of heading
Verb
  • The footage was captured on July 24, according to an ESA statement accompanying the image, just two weeks after SMILE's ultraviolet imager was switched on, offering an exciting first taste of the science to come.
    — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Kelly Saco and Jeremy Tache won’t be accompanying the team from FanDuel to WPLG.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of accompanying
Verb
  • The Abercrombie Kids’ Baby & Toddler Collection adds newborn through 5T sizing after shoppers asked for smaller sizes, extending the brand into another stage of its customers’ lives.
    — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The chain’s restaurants were leased back to it under a 25-year master lease, which included 2% annual escalators, extending until the early 2040s, according to the initial deal terms.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of extending
Verb
  • At least start by showing a constant charge level that slowly fills up the strip.
    — Antonio G. Di Benedetto, The Verge, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Videos have circulated for years showing classrooms with too few desks or chairs, or students finding their classes cancelled when an absent teacher is not replaced.
    — Melissa Bell, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of showing
Adjective
  • The war crimes that were brought to the fore on the stage by Macklemore’s speech are the ones that should be the primary focus.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Simmons made some phenomenal throws all over the field, including to his primary receiver, Cayden Lee.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 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 8 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on leading

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about leading

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