LEADING ON Synonyms: 39 Similar and Opposite Words

leading on

verb

present participle of lead on

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 By 101 measures, Los Angeles is one of the great cities of the world and California has built the world’s fourth-largest economy while leading on climate change, so apocalyptic diagnoses are a bit off the mark. — Steve Lopez columnist follow, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026 Henning is a Managing Director at Glossary Artists, leading on talent strategy, brand partnerships, and long-term career growth for creators and talent from entertainment and digital media. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026 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 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

Extreme heat, tempting open bodies of water and outdoor critters can all prove deadly.

— Brittney Melton, NPR, 9 July 2026
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, 4 July 2026

Definition of tempting

Verb

Opened as a hotel in 1873, the property has attracted A-listers over the decades, including Alfred Hitchcock, Rita Hayworth, Frank Sinatra, and George Clooney (luring him from his own Como home nearby).

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026
Over the last decade, China reversed its brain drain, luring thousands of skilled workers back home to help fuel its rise as a technology powerhouse.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 15 July 2026

Definition of luring

Verb

Numbers like that are persuading brands to start treating in-game ads and product placements as a serious channel rather than a spare-budget experiment.

— Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 15 July 2026
But the deportation officers also had other means of persuading the holdouts.

— Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 13 July 2026