as in tempting
to lead away from a usual or proper course by offering some pleasure or advantage
a con man whose dupes are usually led on by their own greed and eagerness to turn an easy buck
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Recent Examples of leading on
Maryland is leading on this issue.
—
Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 11 Feb. 2026
And, a year ago, Republicans were the ones leading on the congressional ballot, showing just how much the landscape has shifted in Democrats' favor.
—Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 9 Feb. 2026
Being Different means standing apart - leading on innovation and setting trends.
—Steven Wolfe Pereira, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Off the back of a super five years for video game IP, Ampere searched through the gaming archives leading on eight key characteristics to come up with its list.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 5 Jan. 2026
Formichetti has previously held roles at Mugler, Diesel and Uniqlo, leading on artistic and creative direction.
—Vogue Business Team, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2025
America, after years of leading on tech and economic growth, is cutting itself off from global trade to protect manufacturing jobs few actually want to do.
—Renaud Foucart, Time, 28 Sep. 2025
Ramps leading on and off the interstate.
—Idaho Statesman, 13 Aug. 2025
Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 11 Feb. 2026
And, a year ago, Republicans were the ones leading on the congressional ballot, showing just how much the landscape has shifted in Democrats' favor.
—Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 9 Feb. 2026
Being Different means standing apart - leading on innovation and setting trends.
—Steven Wolfe Pereira, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Off the back of a super five years for video game IP, Ampere searched through the gaming archives leading on eight key characteristics to come up with its list.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 5 Jan. 2026
Formichetti has previously held roles at Mugler, Diesel and Uniqlo, leading on artistic and creative direction.
—Vogue Business Team, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2025
America, after years of leading on tech and economic growth, is cutting itself off from global trade to protect manufacturing jobs few actually want to do.
—Renaud Foucart, Time, 28 Sep. 2025
Ramps leading on and off the interstate.
—Idaho Statesman, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leading on
Verb
-
While many dangerous plants are unlikely to appear in a flower garden, there are some weeds that produce beautiful flowers and tempting berries that may look right at home next to your camellias, but are downright deadly.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Around that time, the comet will be passing just to the immediate left of the sun, possibly tempting some to try and see it as a speck of light by blocking out the dazzling disk of the sun with their thumb or outstretched hand.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
New owners Laura and Tim Schneider hope the reborn paper can aid in the community’s recovery by sharing information on the rebuilding process and luring residents and businesses back.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Late last month, Indiana lawmakers took another step toward potentially luring the Bears across the border after a statehouse committee approved a plan to create an agency that would build a new stadium for the team.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Waugh walks around with a newfound swagger, playing hooky, drinking heavily, even seducing a woman at his local.—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Ian Somerhalder’s character delights in seducing aggro closeted dudes.—
Ky Henderson,
Rolling Stone,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In the end, Democratic voters appeared to side with Talarico’s argument that winning in Texas would require not only energizing the base but also persuading voters who have grown uncomfortable with Republican leadership.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Scams and malicious actors could be waiting on the other end, with the intent of covertly persuading the call’s recipient to get involved in some kind of scheme.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leading on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leading%20on. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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