as in tempted
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 led on
Those who wildflower risk being led on or taken advantage of by those treating the trend as merely excuse to not commit, set clear boundaries or adhere to any standards.
—
Charles Trepany, USA Today, 28 May 2026
The 28-year-old Young led on the front nine in the final round at Augusta, and remained in contention until the end, finishing tied for third.
—Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026
Deputies were led on a chase that stretched into northern Sacramento County, onto Sacramento International Airport property, and briefly off-road.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 14 Apr. 2026
The Chupacabras were led on the ground by La’james White’s 53 yards, the bulk of which came on his 45-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
—Sean Rider, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2026
Dogs taking part in the Ruffin Relays are led on a leash by their owner on a journey through a 10-station course which includes two tunnels, a pair of jumps and more.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
Representatives Grant, Aragona, Wooden, Meerman, Neeley, and Fairbairn… and Senators Irwin and Cavanagh have led on housing.
—Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
Right in Kansas City, Platform Ventures has led on building out massive industrial and warehouse-type buildings on what was once the Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base, making use of vacant land while aiming to bring new business and new jobs to the southernmost parts of the city.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2026
Anke Winckler led on Costume Design and Hair and Make-up Design is by Meg Tanner.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2026
Charles Trepany, USA Today, 28 May 2026
The 28-year-old Young led on the front nine in the final round at Augusta, and remained in contention until the end, finishing tied for third.
—Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026
Deputies were led on a chase that stretched into northern Sacramento County, onto Sacramento International Airport property, and briefly off-road.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 14 Apr. 2026
The Chupacabras were led on the ground by La’james White’s 53 yards, the bulk of which came on his 45-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
—Sean Rider, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2026
Dogs taking part in the Ruffin Relays are led on a leash by their owner on a journey through a 10-station course which includes two tunnels, a pair of jumps and more.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
Representatives Grant, Aragona, Wooden, Meerman, Neeley, and Fairbairn… and Senators Irwin and Cavanagh have led on housing.
—Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
Right in Kansas City, Platform Ventures has led on building out massive industrial and warehouse-type buildings on what was once the Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base, making use of vacant land while aiming to bring new business and new jobs to the southernmost parts of the city.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2026
Anke Winckler led on Costume Design and Hair and Make-up Design is by Meg Tanner.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for led on
Verb
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For anyone tempted to re-create the techniques at home, Ezratty strongly suggests seeing a professional.—
Lauren Finney Harden,
AJC.com,
10 June 2026
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You might be tempted to use chemical drain cleaners for their quick fix, but be cautious.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
10 June 2026
Verb
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The real turning point came in November 2025, when James Comey persuaded a magistrate judge to release information from the grand-jury proceedings that led to the former FBI director’s indictment.—
Quinta Jurecic,
The Atlantic,
11 June 2026
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They were persuaded by the details.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
11 June 2026
Verb
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The organization increased purses; lured in other investors; launched PGA Tour Enterprises, a new program that transformed players into equity holders; among other things.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Dec. 2025
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Two boys, ages 14 and 16 — the latter of whom Danika had a crush on — allegedly lured her to the desolate spot, Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson told reporters at a press conference that day.—
KC Baker,
PEOPLE,
8 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Mina is seduced by a shapeshifting, lovelorn vampire while Jonathan is waylaid by the count’s sexy (and horrific) brides at his Transylvanian castle.—
Jesse Hassenger,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 June 2026
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The first is the manipulation and enslavement discourse that depicts the market as an area of domination, where the passive consumer is seduced by an oppressive dominance of the market.—
Ayse Binay Kurultay,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Led on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/led%20on. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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