1
as in steers
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 commands
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 guides
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 principals
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 distances
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 tips
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 clues
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of leads
Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Perrotti manages more than 1,100 athletic events annually and leads fundraising and community partnerships that support athletic programs at the high school.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2026
That was the fourth foul called on Carlton, who leads Texas with her 15 points this afternoon.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 8 Mar. 2026
That is Colorado’s 11th shorthanded goal against this season, which leads the NHL.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 8 Mar. 2026
So, maybe, maybe that leads me to go to the other direction.
—Jack Fink, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
The teams traded leads from that point and Denton went into halftime with a 22-21 lead.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Mar. 2026
Trying to do what your phone can’t Ziad Asghar, who leads Qualcomm’s wearables and personal AI devices division, said Qualcomm saw the need for a new chip after companies approached them with new gadget concepts.
—Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 2 Mar. 2026
The visit is also an opportunity to model activities that parents can do at home with their kids, such as reading a book aloud, said Carneshia Edwards, who leads the hospital's kindergarten readiness team.
—Makiya Seminera The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 2026
Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Mar. 2026
The Pima County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI currently have not publicly shared any serious leads.
—Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 6 Mar. 2026
The Pima County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI do not have any serious leads at this point.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 6 Mar. 2026
As Deadline reported exclusively, Netflix had handed a cast-contingent pickup to the show in late 2025, with a casting search for the leads launched in early January.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2026
Part of the problem is that the greatest efficiencies AI offers today are far upstream in the drug-development process, including identifying hits and leads, assessing toxicity, optimizing medicinal chemistry, and narrowing which candidates deserve scarce laboratory resources.
—Henry Skinner, STAT, 5 Mar. 2026
Locals were detained and quickly released as investigative leads appeared to dry up.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Investigators have received tens of thousands of tips, and followed up on thousands of leads, but nothing appears to have panned out.
—CNN Money, 1 Mar. 2026
Despite an extensive investigation, all leads were eventually exhausted.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 28 Feb. 2026
Verb
Fracturing of conservative communities leads a veteran Republican to retire and could help some incumbent Democrats fend off progressive challengers.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Perrotti manages more than 1,100 athletic events annually and leads fundraising and community partnerships that support athletic programs at the high school.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2026
That was the fourth foul called on Carlton, who leads Texas with her 15 points this afternoon.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 8 Mar. 2026
That is Colorado’s 11th shorthanded goal against this season, which leads the NHL.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 8 Mar. 2026
So, maybe, maybe that leads me to go to the other direction.
—Jack Fink, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
The teams traded leads from that point and Denton went into halftime with a 22-21 lead.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Mar. 2026
Trying to do what your phone can’t Ziad Asghar, who leads Qualcomm’s wearables and personal AI devices division, said Qualcomm saw the need for a new chip after companies approached them with new gadget concepts.
—Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 2 Mar. 2026
The visit is also an opportunity to model activities that parents can do at home with their kids, such as reading a book aloud, said Carneshia Edwards, who leads the hospital's kindergarten readiness team.
—Makiya Seminera The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 2026
Noun
There are no better leads for Broadchurch than Colman and Tennant, two actors firing on all cylinders here.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Mar. 2026
The Pima County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI currently have not publicly shared any serious leads.
—Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 6 Mar. 2026
The Pima County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI do not have any serious leads at this point.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 6 Mar. 2026
As Deadline reported exclusively, Netflix had handed a cast-contingent pickup to the show in late 2025, with a casting search for the leads launched in early January.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2026
Part of the problem is that the greatest efficiencies AI offers today are far upstream in the drug-development process, including identifying hits and leads, assessing toxicity, optimizing medicinal chemistry, and narrowing which candidates deserve scarce laboratory resources.
—Henry Skinner, STAT, 5 Mar. 2026
Locals were detained and quickly released as investigative leads appeared to dry up.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Investigators have received tens of thousands of tips, and followed up on thousands of leads, but nothing appears to have panned out.
—CNN Money, 1 Mar. 2026
Despite an extensive investigation, all leads were eventually exhausted.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 28 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leads
Verb
-
Whether China can use that shifting landscape to accelerate its rise as a global power will depend in part on how well Xi’s government steers the economy.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Co-produced by Jorge Milliano, Tomy B and J-Trons, and written by Gael, Kenneth Vargas, and Derek, the song steers away from Nicky’s signature reggaetón sound, and welcomes the Puerto Rican artist into Venesti’s musical realm — one that’s powered by Latin Afrobeats and pop fusions.—
Natalia Cano,
Billboard,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
So commands the Creature to his creator Victor Frankenstein in Mary Shelley’s novel.—
Rory Doherty,
Time,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The sales pitch hits squarely at the lifestyle that commands top dollar in today’s high-end market.—
David Caraccio
March 7,
Sacbee.com,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
There’s a different energy inside UConn women’s basketball practices as soon as the calendar turns to March, that signature buzz of anticipation and tension that accompanies the arrival of the postseason.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The apocalypse Rosi presents is not just the legendary one that destroyed the ancient Roman town of the film’s title but an ongoing one that encompasses the calamities of our modern era as well as the rejuvenation that sometimes accompanies destruction.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The tornado watch extends through central Oklahoma as well.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Operating within those parameters, the mystic outlands trend extends to some of the world’s most mesmerizing corners.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In Congress, several bills have been introduced recently targeting shariah — the framework that guides Muslims, including on prayer and ethical conduct.—
Luis Andres Henao,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
This cosmic support guides your efforts to find a workable rhythm to your daily duties at home.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Forty-five percent of the principals agreed that the state letter grade system helps their school to plan improvements, and 47 percent disagreed.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The Oklahoman asked superintendents, principals, teachers, and guidance counselors from across the Oklahoma City area to participate in the Student of the Week program by sending nominations for their student.—
Darla Rivera,
Oklahoman,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The peculiarity of Ouédraogo’s seemingly straightforward and classical practice is to evoke distances, conjuring wide spaces between the images—which is to say, between the characters depicted in them—and to bring those spaces to life.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
6 Mar. 2026
-
This specific form of light, known as Lyman-alpha, is produced when hydrogen atoms are energized by radiation from young, hot stars, creating a distinctive ultraviolet glow that can be traced across vast cosmic distances.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Rainy weather driving tips Switch on headlights - Even during daylight hours, using headlights can enhance visibility and signal your presence to other drivers.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Soft sorbet shades worn as gradients, accents and French tips make for a gorgeous nod to spring.—
Elle Turner,
Glamour,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leads. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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