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
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
-
Rising from the Mediterranean, this little isle, full of dramatic peaks and grottoes, has been tempting travelers for 2,000 years.—
Laura Itzkowitz,
Travel + Leisure,
30 May 2026
-
This pick comes right around where the last top centers and D are available, and Gustafsson and Tynan Lawrence are certainly tempting at premium positions.—
Corey Pronman,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
That’s because casinos want to show off big winners, luring in more players, while wins in quiet corners might not draw the same attention.—
Brittany Anas,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
-
Five suspects face charges after allegedly luring two teens to an Arlington park Wednesday night in order to attack them, police said.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
That means seducing Paris Carver, Elliot's wife and Bond's ex, portrayed by Teri Hatcher.—
John Russell,
PEOPLE,
19 May 2026
-
Nate plays his older neighbors like a fiddle, seducing them with his beauty, money, and youth.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Those include persuading a critical number of merchants to accept payments from agents, while also determining who is responsible for failed and fraudulent transactions.—
Jeff John Roberts,
Fortune,
27 May 2026
-
Candidate Brenda Lee Anderson, a Northwestern University researcher, noted that a key challenge has been persuading those without children in Chicago Public Schools that the school board is worth their attention.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leading on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leading%20on. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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