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
Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Oct. 2025
For me, the term deconstruction leads straight to the French philosopher Jacques Derrida.
—Brené Brown, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025
Most young people have had no say in who leads them or how policy is made in Gaza or in the West Bank.
—Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025
Nylander leads the team in assists On the one hand, this is not surprising.
—Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Later, far less graphically but more extendedly, Kobi’s attempt to get back to Nofar leads him to an automatic weapon.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025
In the October 3 episode of Levy’s travel series, William, 43, leads Levy, 78, on a rare tour of Windsor Castle.
—Erin Hill, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
The group joins previously announced leads Victoria Pedretti and Kiera Allen in the pilot, which hails from Peter Gould and was originally announced in June.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 7 Oct. 2025
Chris O'Donnell as Captain Don HartO'Donnell leads the ensemble as Captain Don Hart, the steady leader of Fire Station 113.
—Bryan West, Nashville Tennessean, 7 Oct. 2025
Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025
Senzo Radebe was cast as Shaka’s estranged father, King Senzangakhona, with the likes of Thembinkosi Mthembu, Dawn Thandeka King and Sthandiwe Kgoroge playing other leads.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2025
For a star of her stature, Johansson has played far fewer romantic leads than Julia Roberts, Nicole Kidman or Sandra Bullock.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025
Our team wants to hear your tips, chase the leads and uncover the truth.
—Tamia Fowlkes, jsonline.com, 9 Oct. 2025
But the show faced a landslide of criticism on social media after test shots of the leads surfaced last summer.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2025
City failed to hold onto their leads at Brighton and Arsenal.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
Without further leads, the case went cold for nearly four years.
—Mason Leath, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2025
In the ad, Mamdani says a long soliloquy – as leads often do on the series – before picking up a rose and raising it up to the camera.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
Jack Eichel leads the team with seven points on two goals and five assists.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Oct. 2025
For me, the term deconstruction leads straight to the French philosopher Jacques Derrida.
—Brené Brown, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025
Most young people have had no say in who leads them or how policy is made in Gaza or in the West Bank.
—Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025
Nylander leads the team in assists On the one hand, this is not surprising.
—Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Later, far less graphically but more extendedly, Kobi’s attempt to get back to Nofar leads him to an automatic weapon.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025
In the October 3 episode of Levy’s travel series, William, 43, leads Levy, 78, on a rare tour of Windsor Castle.
—Erin Hill, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
The group joins previously announced leads Victoria Pedretti and Kiera Allen in the pilot, which hails from Peter Gould and was originally announced in June.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 7 Oct. 2025
Chris O'Donnell as Captain Don HartO'Donnell leads the ensemble as Captain Don Hart, the steady leader of Fire Station 113.
—Bryan West, Nashville Tennessean, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
Her characters were romantic leads well into her 70s.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025
Senzo Radebe was cast as Shaka’s estranged father, King Senzangakhona, with the likes of Thembinkosi Mthembu, Dawn Thandeka King and Sthandiwe Kgoroge playing other leads.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2025
For a star of her stature, Johansson has played far fewer romantic leads than Julia Roberts, Nicole Kidman or Sandra Bullock.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025
Our team wants to hear your tips, chase the leads and uncover the truth.
—Tamia Fowlkes, jsonline.com, 9 Oct. 2025
But the show faced a landslide of criticism on social media after test shots of the leads surfaced last summer.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2025
City failed to hold onto their leads at Brighton and Arsenal.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
Without further leads, the case went cold for nearly four years.
—Mason Leath, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2025
In the ad, Mamdani says a long soliloquy – as leads often do on the series – before picking up a rose and raising it up to the camera.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leads
Verb
-
From there, the hurricane center’s track steers the storm far away from land, even Bermuda to the north.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
9 Oct. 2025
-
McKissick recommends sticking within the 19 to 24 inch frame range and steers her clients toward the sleek Samsung Frame when possible.—
Sarah Lyon,
Southern Living,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
China commands more than 62% of that.—
Lori Ann LaRocco,
CNBC,
10 Oct. 2025
-
That type of mindset commands respect and inspires confidence inside Seattle’s locker room, particularly when paired with a willingness to battle in the trenches.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The sound that accompanies his subsequent mechanical breakdown is every bit as nauseating as the show's more organic moments.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Some of her absentmindedness in that situation can be attributed to the sleep deprivation that accompanies life as new parent.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Hit the ignition button and the blade doesn't just flick on; the light extends like a real lightsaber would.—
Chris McMullen,
Space.com,
8 Oct. 2025
-
This custom, low headboard fits under the windows and visually extends the wall from side to side.—
Abby Wolner,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Simba walks from the parking deck to the entrance of Detroit Metropolitan Airport, and his owner guides him through security, passing out his trading cards to agents and travelers alike.—
Natalie Davies,
Freep.com,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Zaremba, of Hollywood, guides anglers for peacocks from Florida City to Boynton Beach.—
Steve Waters,
Miami Herald,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
CenterStage’s principals recognize the hot-button AI issues in the industry.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Thoma Bravo founder Orlando Bravo told CNBC on Tuesday that AI valuations are in a bubble and an Information report questioned the profitability of Oracle's cloud business Maja Vujinovic of FG Nexus said Wednesday that AI is in the early stages but sees a few principals all investors should follow.—
Frank Holland,
CNBC,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Traveling alone, even short distances, builds confidence and reminds you that your own company is enough to make an experience memorable.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
13 Oct. 2025
-
The distances involved are much too great for that.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Some journalists argued that such activity as posting a call for tips on social media would run afoul of the rules.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Stay safe on wintry roads with these valuable winter driving tips from the NWS, and reduce the risk of accidents during challenging weather conditions.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Leads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leads. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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