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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of leads
Brady Shanahan, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
Samsung leads this category too with a score of 82, followed by Shark (81), Bissell, and Dyson (80 each), Roomba (78), Dirt Devil, and Eureka (77 apiece), and Electrolux and Hoover (both 76).
—Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 9 Sep. 2025
Officials urged non-responding personnel to stay clear of the area while the Coast Guard leads the investigation into the cause of the incident.
—Doc Louallen, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2025
Editors are getting their schedules in order, models are running to castings, and backstage hair leads, like icon Lacy Redway, are busy updating their kits.
—Essence, 9 Sep. 2025
In the Live Race to Turin, where the ATP Finals will be held, Alcaraz leads the standings, owning a 2,590-point advantage over Sinner.
—Manasi Pathak, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
In a matchup just with Adams, the Democratic nominee leads by almost the same margin as the four-person race.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 9 Sep. 2025
Every year, before the banks of Monroe Lake succumb to spring flooding, naturalist Jill Vance leads 20 or so hikers to an unassuming patch of forest on the reservoir's northern fork.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025
Walmart already leads big-box stores in purchases made with SNAP benefits at 24%, according to consumer data firm Numerator.
—Serenah McKay, Arkansas Online, 2 Sep. 2025
Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 8 Sep. 2025
Comer has requested the Treasury Department turn over suspicious activity reports that were generated by banks related to activities by Epstein and Maxwell, which could provide new information and leads.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 8 Sep. 2025
According to multiple reports, Harbaugh and the Ravens have blown 17 double-digit leads, which is the most by any coach since 1991.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Without a process to manage and nurture those leads, even the best candidates might lose interest.
—Jonathan Durante, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
On the one hand, the more time spent focusing on the two leads, the better.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
Walker, oddly enough, has failed to protect leads in four of those seven instances, including tonight.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 7 Sep. 2025
And if some of those characters that aren’t the leads are not firing on all cylinders, the film can really start flattening.
—Kevin Cassidy, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
Among the leads that Jackson continues to pursue involves a very small sample of DNA from a vaginal swab of one of the victims, which remains unidentified.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 24 Aug. 2025
Verb
Alexander currently leads Missouri with 69 total points and 60 digs while unleashing 158 total attacks in 2025.
—Brady Shanahan, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
Samsung leads this category too with a score of 82, followed by Shark (81), Bissell, and Dyson (80 each), Roomba (78), Dirt Devil, and Eureka (77 apiece), and Electrolux and Hoover (both 76).
—Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 9 Sep. 2025
Officials urged non-responding personnel to stay clear of the area while the Coast Guard leads the investigation into the cause of the incident.
—Doc Louallen, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2025
Editors are getting their schedules in order, models are running to castings, and backstage hair leads, like icon Lacy Redway, are busy updating their kits.
—Essence, 9 Sep. 2025
In the Live Race to Turin, where the ATP Finals will be held, Alcaraz leads the standings, owning a 2,590-point advantage over Sinner.
—Manasi Pathak, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
In a matchup just with Adams, the Democratic nominee leads by almost the same margin as the four-person race.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 9 Sep. 2025
Every year, before the banks of Monroe Lake succumb to spring flooding, naturalist Jill Vance leads 20 or so hikers to an unassuming patch of forest on the reservoir's northern fork.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025
Walmart already leads big-box stores in purchases made with SNAP benefits at 24%, according to consumer data firm Numerator.
—Serenah McKay, Arkansas Online, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
Their leads include Dominican newcomer Valentina Shen Wu, who had to be persuaded several times to take on the role of the Chinese silk maker, Mei.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 8 Sep. 2025
Comer has requested the Treasury Department turn over suspicious activity reports that were generated by banks related to activities by Epstein and Maxwell, which could provide new information and leads.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 8 Sep. 2025
According to multiple reports, Harbaugh and the Ravens have blown 17 double-digit leads, which is the most by any coach since 1991.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Without a process to manage and nurture those leads, even the best candidates might lose interest.
—Jonathan Durante, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
On the one hand, the more time spent focusing on the two leads, the better.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
Walker, oddly enough, has failed to protect leads in four of those seven instances, including tonight.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 7 Sep. 2025
And if some of those characters that aren’t the leads are not firing on all cylinders, the film can really start flattening.
—Kevin Cassidy, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
Among the leads that Jackson continues to pursue involves a very small sample of DNA from a vaginal swab of one of the victims, which remains unidentified.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 24 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leads
Verb
-
In the 2,000-meter 8+ race, Kate and Gabby shared the boat with a total of eight rowers plus a coxswain who steers the boat and sets the cadence.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The conceit is inherently crowdpleasing — a man stumbling into strangers’ lives and finding unexpected connection — but Hikari steers it with earnestness, elevating it beyond sentimental comedy.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The title also commands the Billboard 200 as well as the Top Streaming Albums and Vinyl Albums tallies at the same time.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The roster also includes Bhojpuri film star Pawan Singh, who commands a massive fan following, and accomplished athlete Sangeeta Phogat.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The stutter that often accompanies lower-end portable displays isn’t present here.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Nguyen, who regularly accompanies migrants at immigration court, said Friday that the group has not seen any arrests in the hallway for the past two weeks.—
Alexandra Mendoza,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
With its calculatedly severe form, the film both distills and extends melodrama to avant-garde extremes.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The vision extends beyond test prep.—
Sixteen Ramos,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Sarah’s deep sense of heritage, informed by her parents’ journey from Barbados to south London, often guides her choices.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
11 Sep. 2025
-
As Barberot guides Expliseat through its next growth phase, balancing rapid expansion with operational excellence will be critical.—
Karl Moore,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Brownstone principals Banks, Max Handelman and Alison Small will produce.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
9 Sep. 2025
-
After a two-week nomination period due to the Labor Day holiday, The Tennessean received five responses from guidance counselors, coaches, teachers and principals.—
Gabrielle Chenault,
Nashville Tennessean,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This mechanism explains why PAH emission is detectable at such vast distances from the galaxy, according to the statement.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Visibility may drop suddenly and over short distances.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Specifically, boys often are looking for fitness tips.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Many news organizations use the service to manage tips.—
Will McCurdy,
PC Magazine,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Leads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leads. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share