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
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Recent Examples of leads
Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 10 May 2026
The Eagles have won over 75 percent of their faceoffs this season and faceoff specialist Kevin Ratzlaff leads the group with a win percentage of 77 percent.
—Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 10 May 2026
Pedro Bettencourt leads Escola de Preparação Integral de Futebol (EPIF), one of Cape Verde's most prestigious youth soccer academies.
—Ricci Shryock, NPR, 10 May 2026
Alyssa Thomas leads the Phoenix Mercury (1-0) into a matchup with the Golden State Valkyries (1-0) after putting up 20 points in a 99-66 win over the Aces.
—Data Skrive, New York Times, 10 May 2026
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
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
Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 9 May 2026
The biggest issues for the Mets are consistent offensive production and a bullpen that isn’t constructed to protect leads.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 8 May 2026
Excavation at a South Elgin home Thursday turned up no human remains or investigative leads connected to the 2016 Kianna Galvin missing person case, the Kane County state’s attorney’s office said Friday.
—Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026
However, the search yielded no remains or further leads in the investigation, South Elgin police said.
—Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 8 May 2026
In the first season, Morgan’s bond with Noah’s brother Sasha (Timothy Simons) was so delightful and sparky that many wondered if the leads’ siblings were bound for their own relationship.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 8 May 2026
Meanwhile, the co-leads of Google DeepMind’s earlier chip-design system, AlphaChip, have launched a startup called Ricursive Intelligence to use AI to design AI chips.
—Matthew Hutson, IEEE Spectrum, 7 May 2026
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
Verb
After a 23-43 season in his first season, Jackson leads the Warriors to back-to-back playoff appearances with 47 and 51 wins but was fired amid a backdrop of friction with management (including team advisor Jerry West) and fostering a poor work environment.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 10 May 2026
The Eagles have won over 75 percent of their faceoffs this season and faceoff specialist Kevin Ratzlaff leads the group with a win percentage of 77 percent.
—Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 10 May 2026
Pedro Bettencourt leads Escola de Preparação Integral de Futebol (EPIF), one of Cape Verde's most prestigious youth soccer academies.
—Ricci Shryock, NPR, 10 May 2026
Alyssa Thomas leads the Phoenix Mercury (1-0) into a matchup with the Golden State Valkyries (1-0) after putting up 20 points in a 99-66 win over the Aces.
—Data Skrive, New York Times, 10 May 2026
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
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
Noun
The Rockies blew leads of 6-0 and 7-2, but rallied to beat the Phillies 9-7 in 11 innings on Friday night at Citizens Bank Park.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 9 May 2026
The biggest issues for the Mets are consistent offensive production and a bullpen that isn’t constructed to protect leads.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 8 May 2026
Excavation at a South Elgin home Thursday turned up no human remains or investigative leads connected to the 2016 Kianna Galvin missing person case, the Kane County state’s attorney’s office said Friday.
—Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026
However, the search yielded no remains or further leads in the investigation, South Elgin police said.
—Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 8 May 2026
In the first season, Morgan’s bond with Noah’s brother Sasha (Timothy Simons) was so delightful and sparky that many wondered if the leads’ siblings were bound for their own relationship.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 8 May 2026
Meanwhile, the co-leads of Google DeepMind’s earlier chip-design system, AlphaChip, have launched a startup called Ricursive Intelligence to use AI to design AI chips.
—Matthew Hutson, IEEE Spectrum, 7 May 2026
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
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
-
Weekend nights, Cleotilde Juárez Ramírez commands this patch of sidewalk, wielding a comal the size of a satellite dish over a brazier.—
Ligaya Mishan,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
-
Leverage in the Shadows Beyond private credit, the broader non-bank financial sector carries elevated leverage that commands the Fed’s attention.—
Mayra Rodriguez Valladares,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
From the beginning, the emphasis centered on preparation, consistency, and respect for the emotional complexity that accompanies divorce and custody matters.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
-
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
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
-
The software then guides the aircraft in the same way a pilot would operate the drone using manual controls.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
8 May 2026
-
This familiarity guides her daily.—
Laura Berrios,
AJC.com,
7 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
-
This graphic provides heat safety tips.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
-
The South Florida men indicted in the case played roles as investors or middlemen who received insider tips, according to court records.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leads. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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