leading man

noun

Definition of leading mannext
as in leading lady

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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 man About a year later, in May 2026, the studio announced that the search for the next leading man had begun. — Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2026 Between the huge practical sets and stunts, the matte paintings and in-camera trickery, the on-location filming, and a leading man at the height of his movie star powers, Spielberg and his team performed the filmmaking equivalent of wizardry. — Frank Deruggiero, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026 Having found his leading man, director William Wyler set out to find the young princess. — Daria Egidi, Vanity Fair, 23 Aug. 2026 Compared to Chalamet, another leading man with great range but more naked ambition than Pattinson, the British star’s self-effacing personality comes across as more endearing, Weekman believes. — David MacK, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for leading man
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leading man
leading lady
Noun
  • Lili Reinhart as Olive Reinhart, who’s The Love Hypothesis’s leading lady, is no stranger to the camera.
    — Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The show’s leading lady was in on it, at one point manning the trigger during a kiss between Sue and her boyfriend Tommy (Joel Oulette).
    — Entertainment Weekly, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of leading lady

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leading man
leading men
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Cite this Entry

“Leading man.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leading%20man. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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