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

Raman now leads Pratt by 3,113 votes. —

Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026 During Black History Month (February) and Women’s History Month (March), the foundation also leads specific tours with a narrow focus on the historic contributions of each group. —

Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026 Charles Modica, who leads the IBA office, said overstretching on Tuesday could hurt the council’s credibility with the public. —

David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026 Italian coach Vincenzo Montella, who has an impressive resume, leads a high-pressing talented team that includes Real Madrid star Arda Guler and Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz, who is recovering from a calf injury and was not on the roster Saturday. —

Miami Herald, 7 June 2026 Shared progress grows when comfort leads the way and one warm connection turns a vague hope into movement. —

Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 June 2026 Sri Lanka leads the three-match series 1-0 after winning the first match Thursday by 41 runs, giving former Proteas star Gary Kirsten his first win as Sri Lanka coach and the tourists first ODI win in the Caribbean in 13 years. —

ABC News, 6 June 2026 Former Republican state senator Jeff Brandes, who now leads the Florida Policy Project, said he was bewildered by the governor's proposal. —

Jim Defede, CBS News, 31 May 2026 That’s a decent rate for a bottom-sixer, not someone who typically leads his team in points. —

Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 31 May 2026

Noun

Blowing leads is becoming a recurring trend for Clark's squad, which has suffered similar collapses against the Washington Mystics and Golden State Valkyries this season. —

Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 June 2026 The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office confirmed Friday that the search effort for 60-year-old Jason Coughran had concluded but noted that additional searches will be conducted if new leads emerge. —

Richard Ramos, CBS News, 6 June 2026 This systematic approach transforms referrals into a consistent stream of warm leads, reducing reliance on cold outreach and making business growth feel effortless. —

Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026 Charade was shot on location in Paris and the French Alps, and the end result is a stylish romp with a clever script and a pair of leads whose chemistry defies their age gap. —

Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 6 June 2026 New York leads, 12-7, after a pair of early 3-pointers and by playing fast to try to get ahead of the defense of Victor Wembanyama. —

Andrew Greif, NBC news, 4 June 2026 Though Boys sometimes sees Watt take searing leads reminiscent of McCartney’s ’60s and ’70s guitar foils, like George Harrison, just as often, McCartney is playing almost everything himself. —

Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 4 June 2026 The leads can be overwrought, shouting lines across the stage while the Gothic-style doorways, sharp directional lighting and ooh-ahh practical effects do their complicated dance. —

John Wenzel, Denver Post, 4 June 2026 Although new pieces of evidence continue to surface daily, none have provided any credible leads, leaving investigators and the public puzzled. —

Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 4 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for leads

Verb

Those kinds of partnerships, where Delta steers customers to a brand and gets a cut of the business, explain why the airline chose Amazon over Starlink as the provider for its in-flight services, to Elon Musk’s highly vocal irritation.

— Phil Wahba, Fortune, 30 May 2026
Today’s audiences look for a more personalized movie experience that festivals can provide, which also steers them in the direction of repertory cinema.

— Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 20 May 2026