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
Sebastian Smee, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
From superhero to child killer to intergalactic enforcer, Vader's arc leads him to want to rule the galaxy with his son by his side, though Luke doesn't turn like his father when given the chance.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 3 May 2026
The remarks also follow a report that Watson leads the race for the starting job.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2026
Keith leads us toward this richer amplitude.
—Glenn Adamson, Artforum, 2 May 2026
Adam Scott leads the cast, which includes Peter Coonan, David Wilmot and Mallory Adams.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 2 May 2026
Pastor Rabell-González also leads a congregation in Escalon.
—Irene Gonzalez, CBS News, 2 May 2026
San Jose leads the all-time series 6-5-9.
—ABC News, 2 May 2026
If Ty Simpson develops into a top NFL quarterback who leads the Rams to a Super Bowl title, the club will look back at the 2026 draft as one of the best and shrewdest in its history.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 2 May 2026
This isn’t some Altman film with 25 characters and no clear leads.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 2 May 2026
A lot has to do with his poor secondary leads.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 1 May 2026
The calls for Rioux came whenever the Gators held big leads late in a game, with students and fans hoping coach Todd Golden would insert him into the game.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
The seven leads also served as the writers room for the series.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 30 Apr. 2026
Melanie Machado, 15, told the Herald her family thought the verdict could help uncover leads in her sister’s homicide case.
—Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
Maurice Shakur says grand jury transcripts and a Netflix documentary have provided new leads connecting additional people to the case.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
At least one of these AMAs was organized independently of PCL leadership by two team leads, including one who worked directly on the ICE contract for a period of time.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
Like a teacher guiding a child, the work leads the eye step-by-step from the lower right to the upper left.
—Sebastian Smee, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
From superhero to child killer to intergalactic enforcer, Vader's arc leads him to want to rule the galaxy with his son by his side, though Luke doesn't turn like his father when given the chance.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 3 May 2026
The remarks also follow a report that Watson leads the race for the starting job.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2026
Keith leads us toward this richer amplitude.
—Glenn Adamson, Artforum, 2 May 2026
Adam Scott leads the cast, which includes Peter Coonan, David Wilmot and Mallory Adams.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 2 May 2026
Pastor Rabell-González also leads a congregation in Escalon.
—Irene Gonzalez, CBS News, 2 May 2026
San Jose leads the all-time series 6-5-9.
—ABC News, 2 May 2026
If Ty Simpson develops into a top NFL quarterback who leads the Rams to a Super Bowl title, the club will look back at the 2026 draft as one of the best and shrewdest in its history.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Noun
Without him, the bullpen has blown four ninth-inning leads.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 2 May 2026
This isn’t some Altman film with 25 characters and no clear leads.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 2 May 2026
A lot has to do with his poor secondary leads.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 1 May 2026
The calls for Rioux came whenever the Gators held big leads late in a game, with students and fans hoping coach Todd Golden would insert him into the game.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
The seven leads also served as the writers room for the series.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 30 Apr. 2026
Melanie Machado, 15, told the Herald her family thought the verdict could help uncover leads in her sister’s homicide case.
—Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
Maurice Shakur says grand jury transcripts and a Netflix documentary have provided new leads connecting additional people to the case.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
At least one of these AMAs was organized independently of PCL leadership by two team leads, including one who worked directly on the ICE contract for a period of time.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 25 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leads
Verb
-
The Fed traditionally steers clear of political whims when devising monetary policy in part to maintain credibility.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
This year’s event raised money for UpSpire, an employment program; Tarrant Area Food Bank; United Community Centers, focusing on food and literacy; and Tarrant To & Through Partnership, which steers students toward college or careers.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claims that the leader is lucid and exerting total control over the country that his office commands.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
1 May 2026
-
Following a surge of federal law enforcement in Minneapolis, for instance, Hamilton cited an Old Testament verse that commands Israelites to treat foreigners with love and fairness.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Creams and lotions can help ease the itching that accompanies the rash, and prompt medical attention reduces the chance of complications like postherpetic neuralgia or vision problems.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
-
This reading accompanies the Private Life episode featuring Filler in conversation with host Jarrett Earnest.—
Martin Filler,
The New York Review of Books,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Israeli government and military have said forces will remain in a buffer zone that spans the countries' border and extends at least six miles into Lebanese territory, and that residents will not be allowed to return home, until the Hezbollah threat is removed.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The decision also extends to OPEC+, a larger group that consists of other oil producers such as Russia.—
Hanna Ziady,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Through the band members’ stories, Méndez guides readers expertly through a historical landscape that may be unfamiliar to them and examines thought-provoking ideas about art and protest.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
-
This agency guides local school districts and also provides partial oversight.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
In an interview with the Star-Telegram last week, Louis Kushner, Licata’s chief of staff, said principals went through a rigorous process in order to keep their post or be appointed to an Elevate campus principal position.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 May 2026
-
Appointed by the Board of the European Film Academy, the chapter principals will act as ambassadors and figureheads for their respective disciplines.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
But tankers move through much smaller channels about two miles wide, distances that make boarding operations more difficult and dangerous, Parker said.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
4 May 2026
-
As a premier strategic weapon, the Trident II D5 delivers nuclear warheads with extreme precision over intercontinental distances exceeding 7,000 km.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Here are three fool-proof tips to stay ahead of the curve during the volatility to come.—
Solo Ceesay,
Rolling Stone,
7 May 2026
-
Sign up to The Selection newsletter for hands-on product reviews, expert shopping tips and a look at the best deals and sales each week.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leads. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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