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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of leads
Elizabeth B. Kim, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Nov. 2025
Moro Ojomo leads the defense with four sacks, with Andrew Mukuba snaring two interceptions.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025
Jay Ferguson, the son of prominent civil rights attorney James Ferguson, leads sales personnel and operations for a parking management company.
—Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 11 Nov. 2025
On the back end, the 24-year-old LaCombe leads a defense corps — with fellow youngsters Olen Zellweger, Drew Helleson, Pavel Mintyukov and incoming rookie Ian Moore — that is mobile and built to trigger the Ducks’ transition game.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
Marchand leads the Panthers in goals scored (11) and points (18).
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2025
Pierce has at least 67 receiving yards in six of his last seven games, and leads the league in receiving yards with 366 since Week 7.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025
This leads the pair to head to Florida over the holidays in hopes of lifting the dog’s spirits.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 11 Nov. 2025
This little Sex and the City moment leads us right to the topic at the center of this episode’s cast.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
Mike Sando, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
The Giants team has been a mess in 2025, losing multiple leads in the fourth quarter.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Both had already displayed viable star qualities before landing the leads in the young adult adaptations.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Nov. 2025
The investigation seemed to stall after her body was found as police chased leads that did not pan out.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025
The Rattlers jumped out to leads of 8-1 and 12-5 in set two.
—Tim Meehan Sd, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Nov. 2025
The film screened as the Mayor of London Gala during the LFF, with Zhao in attendance alongside her leads Jesse Buckley and Paul Mescal and producers, including Steven Spielberg and Sam Mendes.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 7 Nov. 2025
And while the chemistry between the two romantic leads is solid, the movie never connects emotionally.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
Costumes for the film’s female leads didn’t appear in stores like Spirit Halloween until late September, the journal reported.
—Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
Archdeacon, who now leads roughly 1,000 UC Health doctors as CEO of University of Cincinnati Physicians, later described the decision as a cost-saving move for the department that had nothing to do with his relationship with Stryker.
—Elizabeth B. Kim, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Nov. 2025
Moro Ojomo leads the defense with four sacks, with Andrew Mukuba snaring two interceptions.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025
Jay Ferguson, the son of prominent civil rights attorney James Ferguson, leads sales personnel and operations for a parking management company.
—Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 11 Nov. 2025
On the back end, the 24-year-old LaCombe leads a defense corps — with fellow youngsters Olen Zellweger, Drew Helleson, Pavel Mintyukov and incoming rookie Ian Moore — that is mobile and built to trigger the Ducks’ transition game.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
Marchand leads the Panthers in goals scored (11) and points (18).
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2025
Pierce has at least 67 receiving yards in six of his last seven games, and leads the league in receiving yards with 366 since Week 7.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025
This leads the pair to head to Florida over the holidays in hopes of lifting the dog’s spirits.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 11 Nov. 2025
This little Sex and the City moment leads us right to the topic at the center of this episode’s cast.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
The Seahawks have built first-half leads of 38-3 over the Saints, 31-7 over Washington and 35-0 over Arizona.
—Mike Sando, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
The Giants team has been a mess in 2025, losing multiple leads in the fourth quarter.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Both had already displayed viable star qualities before landing the leads in the young adult adaptations.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Nov. 2025
The investigation seemed to stall after her body was found as police chased leads that did not pan out.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025
The Rattlers jumped out to leads of 8-1 and 12-5 in set two.
—Tim Meehan Sd, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Nov. 2025
The film screened as the Mayor of London Gala during the LFF, with Zhao in attendance alongside her leads Jesse Buckley and Paul Mescal and producers, including Steven Spielberg and Sam Mendes.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 7 Nov. 2025
And while the chemistry between the two romantic leads is solid, the movie never connects emotionally.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
Costumes for the film’s female leads didn’t appear in stores like Spirit Halloween until late September, the journal reported.
—Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 30 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leads
Verb
-
The vibe definitely steers more toward homey than hotel, which is fitting considering its remote, spectacular location.—
Chadner Navarro,
Vogue,
30 Oct. 2025
-
The plot unfolds at the urgent but erratic pace of a life-altering business deal, as Bonitzer unfussily steers us through a series of small rooms as people scramble to determine the proper thing to do with Schiele’s painting.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Pakistan’s army chief, General Syed Asim Munir, was awarded the rank of Field Marshal, and commands wide public and political support.—
Rafia Zakaria,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The design commands attention with its dramatic proportions.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
But Belém was not set up for the influx that accompanies COP.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Meanwhile, the Billboard Holiday Countdown accompanies the annual return of Billboard’s Top Holiday Albums chart.—
Gary Trust,
Billboard,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Her win extends Democratic control of the governor’s mansion to a third consecutive term and cements her status as one of the party’s rising national figures.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Growing skepticism in American society about the value of multilateralism extends to economic issues.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Adventure guides the ninth sign's spirit; these wanderers are not afraid to take risks.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Haverstock guides chef and friend Ranga Perera, launching on a section of the Middle Fork Flathead River that’s overlooked by most park visitors.—
Outside,
Outside,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Mag Bay, whose principals launched Cabo Yachts back in the 1990s, was almost hidden at the show among the other high-end offshore boats.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
7 Nov. 2025
-
What state law, education professors say Conservators have the power to direct, approve or disapprove actions of the board of trustees, superintendent and campus principals, according to state law.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
For those who frequently drive short distances on electric power alone, ADAC suggests that a fully battery-electric vehicle (BEV) may be the smarter option.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Ideal for nature documentaries or ecological films, the reserve offers boardwalk access, eco-lodges and nearby desert plains that allow diverse visual transitions within short distances.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Packed practical tutorials, tool tips and ideas drawing from Hanna’s experience the paperback teaches sewers of all levels a range of genius jean repair, repurpose and restyling skills.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Off Brazil’s northeastern coast, where the sediment-heavy water of the vast Amazon River tips out into the Atlantic, are two very different types of treasure.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Leads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leads. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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