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

Raynaud, who came out of Stanford as the 42nd overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NBA draft, leads all rookies with 17 double-doubles this season. —

Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 29 Mar. 2026 Barzani leads the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region in northern Iraq. —

Zach Lachance, The Washington Examiner, 29 Mar. 2026 Hiking with a nine-time Everest guide who outfits us with ice axes, ropes, harnesses, and crampons and leads us up a spur—where no other people have been this season—for our own bite-size moment of glory. —

Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 29 Mar. 2026 Despite significant criticism for her handling of the city’s 2025 wildfires, LA mayor leads in her race for re-election, a new poll shows, in part due to the fact that top-tier challengers decided not to run. —

Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2026 The living room, anchored by a wood-burning fireplace and custom built-ins, leads into a sunroom at the back of the house that’s hard to ignore. —

Miriam Schwartz, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2026 This time, May leads Michigan (34-3) into an Elite Eight matchup against the Volunteers (25-11) on Sunday. —

CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026 While this game was closer than January 19 when UConn won by 38 points in the most-lopsided game in the 57-game series (UConn leads 41-16), the Irish couldn't overcome the rolling Huskies. —

ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026 Odette manages the antitrust division at the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office and leads the office’s health care transaction review. —

Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 28 Mar. 2026

Noun

Investigators say there have been no arrests, and no suspect has been publicly identified, but detectives are actively pursuing leads. —

Jamie Leary, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026 Despite the surveillance video, the case is currently suspended due to a lack of investigative leads, with officers saying the video quality is not clear enough to identify a suspect. —

Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026 The search continues with no suspects or strong leads in the case. —

Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026 Alongside the new Potter leads, Steve Carell, Lisa Kudrow, Noah Wyle, Linda Cardellini and David Chase made their way over the Atlantic. —

Alex Ritman, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026 At the beginning of the fall semester this school year, UT Arlington’s Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice started a new course in partnership with Arlington police to give students the opportunity to review APD cold cases and try to develop new leads. —

Emerson Clarridge updated March 21, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Mar. 2026 But, the Predators made the most of their shots with leads of 3-0 and 4-1 in the second period. —

ABC News, 21 Mar. 2026 The franchise itself has long been criticized for the lack of diversity in its cast (particularly among the leads). —

Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 21 Mar. 2026 With no clear leads, investigators turned to Tom. —

Annalise Peterson, NBC news, 21 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for leads

Verb

Perfectionists Nini and Jane are feeling a bit neurotic, while Darlene Mitchell helpfully steers Juicy to develop a Karen that will lean into her strengths and make Ru laugh.

— Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2026
In an era in high school sports where boos, jeers, and uncalled-for chants are the status quo, Shelton steers fans to uplift rather than put down.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Mar. 2026