as in tempts
to lead away from a usual or proper course by offering some pleasure or advantage
a con man whose dupes are usually led on by their own greed and eagerness to turn an easy buck
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Recent Examples of leads on
The government argued the two anonymous plaintiffs had never been personally targeted and therefore had no basis to sue, noting that a state department review of 5,000 leads on campus protesters resulted in visa revocations in less than 1% of cases.
—
Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
While the bullpen has lost closer Robert Suarez, LHP Adrián Morejón and RHPs Mason Miller, Jason Adam and Jeremiah Estrada figure to have leads on lock after the fifth inning.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
China leads on clean energy technologies and its emissions are starting to fall.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 22 Feb. 2026
Montgomery was among the players working on fundamentals such as secondary leads on the bases before taking a few cuts in the cages.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
Authorities working on the case are currently examining Walmart sales records for possible leads on the culprit due to the backpack and clothing he was seen wearing on the doorbell camera of Nancy’s home.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 16 Feb. 2026
Both the Tenerife and Manchester offices will operate under Head of Studio Helen Brown, who leads on production, recruitment and talent development.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
Instead of the battlefield, the defenseman and Woodstock native leads on the ice as a fifth-year veteran for his team.
—Kaley Fedko, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
The New York Yankees blew two leads on in Game 2 on Wednesday night before Austin Wells delivered a go-ahead RBI single with two outs in the eighth inning to lift the Bronx Bombers to a 4-3 victory and a decisive Game 3 on Thursday night.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Oct. 2025
Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
While the bullpen has lost closer Robert Suarez, LHP Adrián Morejón and RHPs Mason Miller, Jason Adam and Jeremiah Estrada figure to have leads on lock after the fifth inning.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
China leads on clean energy technologies and its emissions are starting to fall.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 22 Feb. 2026
Montgomery was among the players working on fundamentals such as secondary leads on the bases before taking a few cuts in the cages.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
Authorities working on the case are currently examining Walmart sales records for possible leads on the culprit due to the backpack and clothing he was seen wearing on the doorbell camera of Nancy’s home.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 16 Feb. 2026
Both the Tenerife and Manchester offices will operate under Head of Studio Helen Brown, who leads on production, recruitment and talent development.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
Instead of the battlefield, the defenseman and Woodstock native leads on the ice as a fifth-year veteran for his team.
—Kaley Fedko, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
The New York Yankees blew two leads on in Game 2 on Wednesday night before Austin Wells delivered a go-ahead RBI single with two outs in the eighth inning to lift the Bronx Bombers to a 4-3 victory and a decisive Game 3 on Thursday night.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leads on
Verb
-
If a hobby upgrade tempts you, open a spreadsheet to compare options before opening your wallet!—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 Which horizon tempts your curious steps now?—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
At the same time, Katie gets abducted by a mysterious neighbor (Hayat Kamille), who lures her in with her favorite chocolates.—
Gregory Nussen,
Deadline,
16 Apr. 2026
-
An eccentric poodle breeder lures a broke college student to her remote ranch with a promise of research funding.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Intrigued, the Duke secretly seduces Gilda, breaks her heart and destroys Rigoletto’s life.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
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The victim of his sacrifice is Gretchen, a virgin whom Faust seduces and abandons in his devilish reverie, and who kills their illegitimate child.—
Merve Emre,
New Yorker,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Whale lusts after a hunky gardener (Brendan Fraser) and persuades him to pose for a few sketches; Julian, though bisexual, expresses no such interest in Lori, and any art-making turns out to be a gratifyingly mutual endeavor.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The confidence heuristic explains why certainty persuades us.—
Nick Dothée,
The Atlantic,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Loot boxes in the crosshairs James alleges Valve entices players to pay for a chance to win a rare virtual item, and that those rare items can be traded for real money in accordance with their rarity.—
Jesse Zanger,
CBS News,
25 Feb. 2026
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Your starter entices with a spicy-tangy flavor, leading into the classic roasted chicken entree.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leads on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leads%20on. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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