1
as in to steer
to point out the way for (someone) especially from a position in front
an enthusiastic docent led our group through the art museum
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to command
to serve as leader of
a senior programmer is leading the team that is developing the new accounting software
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
4
5
as in to guide
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in principal
the person who has the most important role in a play, movie, or TV show
the actor's career has really taken off since he became the lead in that prime-time drama
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in distance
the space or amount of space between two points, lines, surfaces, or objects
the runner maintained a lead of several meters all the way around the track
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in tip
a piece of advice or useful information especially from an expert
my sister got a lead on the job opening from her neighbor, who is the human resources director for the company
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in cue
a slight or indirect pointing to something (as a solution or explanation)
the police are now working on several leads generated by the evidence gathered at the crime scene
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in leading
highest in rank or authority
the lead diplomat is responsible for making policy for the entire embassy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of lead
Steve Bradshaw, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
This weekend continued a trend of movies that court audiences of all ages and various genres, although horror has been a highlight leading into the fall season.
—Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
Sweta Kaushal, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
The tech behemoth’s streaming outlet has greenlit a limited series called The Off Weeks, with Severance executive producer-director Ben Stiller and Jessica Chastain, who stars in Apple TV+’s forthcoming drama The Savant, set for the lead roles.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lead
Verb
The odds of Croskey-Merritt leading this backfield are strongly in his favor.
—Steve Bradshaw, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
This weekend continued a trend of movies that court audiences of all ages and various genres, although horror has been a highlight leading into the fall season.
—Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Deverakonda plays the lead role in the film which also features Bhagyashri Bose, Bhoomi Shetty, Satyadev, Baburaj, and Manish Chaudhary.
—Sweta Kaushal, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
The tech behemoth’s streaming outlet has greenlit a limited series called The Off Weeks, with Severance executive producer-director Ben Stiller and Jessica Chastain, who stars in Apple TV+’s forthcoming drama The Savant, set for the lead roles.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lead
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lead
Verb
-
Other patrons saw us with cell phones — an immense luxury at the time — and steered clear of us.—
Martin Suarez,
Rolling Stone,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Putting structures in place keeps emotions from steering decisions off course.—
Bruce Helmer,
Twin Cities,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
One day, visitors would be able to ascend the tower and enjoy a commanding view of sprawling Barcelona.—
D. T. Max,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
-
That means that at exit those brands are likely to command stronger multiples.—
Gary Occhiogrosso,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The arrival was accompanied by a performance from the Household Cavalry band, whose musicians wore ornate state dress uniforms originally designed in the 1600s and woven with pure gold thread.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry
Shane Croucher
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
-
The Agnès Varda Award is accompanied by a grant for mentoring aspiring film artists.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Lucky went 1,500 days in the shelter without being adopted, then everything changed.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Before all that happened, though, there was the eight-course dinner, which went totally fine as predicted.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The museum guides visitors through Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, Islamic, and other global belief systems before culminating in the Buddhist 10 Courts of Hell.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Sep. 2025
-
This discovery not only changes our understanding of lunar geology but could also guide future missions to regions where the moon’s surface is still active.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Like Einbinder, she's been nominated for all four seasons of Abbott Elementary for her role as inept school principal Ava Coleman.—
Julia Moore,
PEOPLE,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Any financial instruments mentioned herein are speculative in nature and may involve risk to principal and interest.—
Katie Stockton,
CNBC,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
That is, with Venus and earth-like planets at habitable distances from their stars as well as gas giants orbiting at Jupiter-like distances (which in our solar system’s case is 5 astronomical units), or five times the average distance between the Earth and sun.—
Bruce Dorminey,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
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Tunnels will cut travel times between Verona and Munich by more than half to 2½ hours, between Milan and Paris by at least 30% to 4½ hours and put the Ligurian port city of Genoa within commuting distance of Italy’s finance and fashion capital — significantly remaking the Europe transit map.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Duris believes businesses may be able to encourage employees not to ‘hop’ away, offering tips for employers on how to help prevent high turnover rates.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Whereas French manicures typically curve along the edge of the nail down to the cuticle—even when it's done on square nails—Lovato's micro tips are painted straight across.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lead. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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