LEADS Synonyms: 206 Similar and Opposite Words

leads 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of lead

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

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Relevance

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as in commands

to serve as leader of a senior programmer is leading the team that is developing the new accounting software

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as in accompanies

to be at the front of the local high school's marching band led the parade

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as in extends

to be positioned along a certain course or in a certain direction this old road leads to an abandoned quarry

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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

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leads

2 of 2

noun

plural of lead

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

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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

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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

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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

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Example Sentences

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 leads

Verb

Going into tonight's event, biographical drama Peter Hujar's Day leads the pack on the film side with five nominations, including for director Ira Sachs, and stars Rebecca Hall and Ben Whishaw (who is also nominated for his performance on Netflix's Black Doves). —

Jillian Sederholm, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026 Quietly, Sister Sebastian leads me over to the dining room for dinner, where a large mahogany table is set for one. —

Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026 Our recipe leads you through those steps with simple instruction and tips that ensure a perfect finish without too much effort. —

Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2026 Challenger Don Huffines, also a former state senator, leads the crowded field in the comptroller's race with 33% support. —

John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 15 Feb. 2026 Shelton gets his first break of the match and now leads the second set 5-3. —

José Sánchez Córdova, Dallas Morning News, 15 Feb. 2026 Which leads us back to Shiffrin, who is yet to win anything here. —

Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026 United States -Matthew Tkachuk leads the Americans and is second overall in the tournament with five assists. —

Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 15 Feb. 2026 We're officially done with the first run of the women's giant slalom, with Mikaela Shiffrin sitting just over a second behind the leader after the first run, as Italy's Federica Brignone leads the field. —

Sean Nevin, NBC news, 15 Feb. 2026

Noun

Within twenty-four hours, more than five thousand leads poured in. —

Paige Williams, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026 Threat Intake Examiners at the National Threat Operations Center (NTOC) and FBI personnel are supporting a 24-hour command post in which dozens of agents and investigators are assigned leads and tips to action each shift. —

Alexandra Koch , Michael Ruiz , Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026 If the plot in Yellow Letters doesn’t exactly move the needle, intense turns from both leads keep the drama engaging. —

Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026 Many a romantic film of late — comedy or otherwise — has marketed itself on the innate chemistry of its two leads. —

Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 12 Feb. 2026 Written messages alone, Massey added, can provide important leads for investigators, but they also could be used to deceive law enforcement. —

Rich Schapiro, NBC news, 11 Feb. 2026 Now, as investigators searching for Nancy Guthrie focus on possible leads, Schweit and several other former FBI agents say the details released so far suggest the perpetrator likely had prior knowledge of the home or family, and a financial rather than ideological motivation for the crime. —

Chris Kenning, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026 The best classic house songs soar with impassioned vocal leads. —

Billie Bugara, Pitchfork, 7 Feb. 2026 However, the Milton Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division said the case remains open and active until the medical examiner determines the official cause and manner of death and all investigative leads are reviewed. —

Dan Raby, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for leads

Verb

The mayor's executive order steers the assessor to adopt the International Association of Assessing Officers ratio standards, produce a mass appraisal report and modify the city's economic condition factors.

— Dana Afana, Freep.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The lifestyle and luxury executive, who joined Trudon in March 2025, also steers the creative strategy of its sister company Carrière Frères, a French interior fragrance brand.

— Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 21 Jan. 2026