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
Brady Shanahan, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
Samsung leads this category too with a score of 82, followed by Shark (81), Bissell, and Dyson (80 each), Roomba (78), Dirt Devil, and Eureka (77 apiece), and Electrolux and Hoover (both 76).
—Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 9 Sep. 2025
Officials urged non-responding personnel to stay clear of the area while the Coast Guard leads the investigation into the cause of the incident.
—Doc Louallen, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2025
Editors are getting their schedules in order, models are running to castings, and backstage hair leads, like icon Lacy Redway, are busy updating their kits.
—Essence, 9 Sep. 2025
In the Live Race to Turin, where the ATP Finals will be held, Alcaraz leads the standings, owning a 2,590-point advantage over Sinner.
—Manasi Pathak, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
In a matchup just with Adams, the Democratic nominee leads by almost the same margin as the four-person race.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 9 Sep. 2025
Every year, before the banks of Monroe Lake succumb to spring flooding, naturalist Jill Vance leads 20 or so hikers to an unassuming patch of forest on the reservoir's northern fork.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025
Walmart already leads big-box stores in purchases made with SNAP benefits at 24%, according to consumer data firm Numerator.
—Serenah McKay, Arkansas Online, 2 Sep. 2025
Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 8 Sep. 2025
Comer has requested the Treasury Department turn over suspicious activity reports that were generated by banks related to activities by Epstein and Maxwell, which could provide new information and leads.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 8 Sep. 2025
According to multiple reports, Harbaugh and the Ravens have blown 17 double-digit leads, which is the most by any coach since 1991.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Without a process to manage and nurture those leads, even the best candidates might lose interest.
—Jonathan Durante, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
On the one hand, the more time spent focusing on the two leads, the better.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
Walker, oddly enough, has failed to protect leads in four of those seven instances, including tonight.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 7 Sep. 2025
And if some of those characters that aren’t the leads are not firing on all cylinders, the film can really start flattening.
—Kevin Cassidy, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
Among the leads that Jackson continues to pursue involves a very small sample of DNA from a vaginal swab of one of the victims, which remains unidentified.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 24 Aug. 2025
Verb
Alexander currently leads Missouri with 69 total points and 60 digs while unleashing 158 total attacks in 2025.
—Brady Shanahan, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
Samsung leads this category too with a score of 82, followed by Shark (81), Bissell, and Dyson (80 each), Roomba (78), Dirt Devil, and Eureka (77 apiece), and Electrolux and Hoover (both 76).
—Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 9 Sep. 2025
Officials urged non-responding personnel to stay clear of the area while the Coast Guard leads the investigation into the cause of the incident.
—Doc Louallen, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2025
Editors are getting their schedules in order, models are running to castings, and backstage hair leads, like icon Lacy Redway, are busy updating their kits.
—Essence, 9 Sep. 2025
In the Live Race to Turin, where the ATP Finals will be held, Alcaraz leads the standings, owning a 2,590-point advantage over Sinner.
—Manasi Pathak, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
In a matchup just with Adams, the Democratic nominee leads by almost the same margin as the four-person race.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 9 Sep. 2025
Every year, before the banks of Monroe Lake succumb to spring flooding, naturalist Jill Vance leads 20 or so hikers to an unassuming patch of forest on the reservoir's northern fork.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025
Walmart already leads big-box stores in purchases made with SNAP benefits at 24%, according to consumer data firm Numerator.
—Serenah McKay, Arkansas Online, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
Their leads include Dominican newcomer Valentina Shen Wu, who had to be persuaded several times to take on the role of the Chinese silk maker, Mei.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 8 Sep. 2025
Comer has requested the Treasury Department turn over suspicious activity reports that were generated by banks related to activities by Epstein and Maxwell, which could provide new information and leads.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 8 Sep. 2025
According to multiple reports, Harbaugh and the Ravens have blown 17 double-digit leads, which is the most by any coach since 1991.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Without a process to manage and nurture those leads, even the best candidates might lose interest.
—Jonathan Durante, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
On the one hand, the more time spent focusing on the two leads, the better.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
Walker, oddly enough, has failed to protect leads in four of those seven instances, including tonight.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 7 Sep. 2025
And if some of those characters that aren’t the leads are not firing on all cylinders, the film can really start flattening.
—Kevin Cassidy, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
Among the leads that Jackson continues to pursue involves a very small sample of DNA from a vaginal swab of one of the victims, which remains unidentified.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 24 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leads
Verb
-
Upon their arrival, they’re greeted by a wee man known only as the Dungeon Master, who enigmatically steers them through their new locale, keeping them safe from the evil forces of Venger while providing them with clues that will ostensibly lead them home.—
Will Harris,
EW.com,
1 Sep. 2025
-
Others cautioned that attacking appearances rather than engaging with ideas reflects poor judgment and steers the conversation away from meaningful discussion.—
Emma Marsden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Still, Tony Leung commands the screen with such economy of gesture, such magnetic stillness, such sheer star power.—
Leila Latif,
IndieWire,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Twelve years later, the hotel still commands relevance in a market that constantly reinvents itself.—
Lauren Mowery,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Just as heartburn always accompanies a chicken Parmesan, and a hangover always follows a great night out.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
-
But, because mange often accompanies secondary infections and nutritional imbalances, treatment in the wild is impractical, making the work at Walden's Puddle and other rehabilitation facilities all the more important, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Communications Manager Jason Harmon said.—
Katie Nixon,
Nashville Tennessean,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
With its calculatedly severe form, the film both distills and extends melodrama to avant-garde extremes.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The vision extends beyond test prep.—
Sixteen Ramos,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Welcome to Ultimate Homes, a new Robb Report video series in which host Mark Ellwood guides you through the most striking and luxurious homes on the prime market today.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Back inside, Winters guides me through his collection of family photos and mementos from his travels.—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Each episode of Crime Stories with Nancy Grace features a single case and a rotating panel of guests that often includes victims’ family members and principals, along with reporters, lawyers and subject-matter experts.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Grace will be joined by a rotating panel of guests that may include victims’ family members and principals connected to the case as well as attorneys and journalists.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This mechanism explains why PAH emission is detectable at such vast distances from the galaxy, according to the statement.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Visibility may drop suddenly and over short distances.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Get practical tips for practical tips on using AI to uncover, express, and expand your personal brand in this Maven Lightning Lesson video.—
William Arruda,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Continue reading … BETTER BREAKFAST – Try these smart tips for healthier eating first thing in the morning.—
,
FOXNews.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Leads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leads. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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