as in leads
to serve as leader of
unofficially at least, Martin Luther King spearheaded the civil rights movement
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Recent Examples of spearheads
Michael R. Blood, Fortune, 2 June 2026
The city is not only a global jazz capital but the hometown of Hancock himself, who spearheads the effort as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador.
—Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
The resort also supports the South Caicos Heritage Foundation, which protects surrounding coral reefs and often spearheads community clean-up initiatives.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026
Wanda Durant is the president of the Durant Family Charitable Foundation, spearheads the College Track at The Durant Center in Suitland and is the mother of NBA star Kevin Durant.
—Wanda Durant, Baltimore Sun, 25 Mar. 2026
Kasia Morgan, head of sustainability, spearheads the Mountain Lioness Scholarship, empowering women in Tanzania to become certified Kilimanjaro guides.
—The Editors, Outside, 18 Mar. 2026
Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino spearheads the Italian squad.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
Ernie Suggs spearheads a month’s worth of Black history content every February for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
—Eric Mandel, AJC.com, 27 Feb. 2026
Marcus Phillips spearheads a spot-on quintet of classmates, each bursting with self-conscious awkwardness and a desire to be seen and understood.
—Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 25 Feb. 2026
Verb
The federal government spearheads security at the Olympics, but there are already concerns that the Los Angeles Police Department will not have adequate funding or personnel to hold up its end of the job.
—Michael R. Blood, Fortune, 2 June 2026
The city is not only a global jazz capital but the hometown of Hancock himself, who spearheads the effort as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador.
—Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
The resort also supports the South Caicos Heritage Foundation, which protects surrounding coral reefs and often spearheads community clean-up initiatives.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026
Wanda Durant is the president of the Durant Family Charitable Foundation, spearheads the College Track at The Durant Center in Suitland and is the mother of NBA star Kevin Durant.
—Wanda Durant, Baltimore Sun, 25 Mar. 2026
Kasia Morgan, head of sustainability, spearheads the Mountain Lioness Scholarship, empowering women in Tanzania to become certified Kilimanjaro guides.
—The Editors, Outside, 18 Mar. 2026
Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino spearheads the Italian squad.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
Ernie Suggs spearheads a month’s worth of Black history content every February for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
—Eric Mandel, AJC.com, 27 Feb. 2026
Marcus Phillips spearheads a spot-on quintet of classmates, each bursting with self-conscious awkwardness and a desire to be seen and understood.
—Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spearheads
Verb
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Raman now leads Pratt by 3,113 votes.—
Noah Goldberg,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
-
During Black History Month (February) and Women’s History Month (March), the foundation also leads specific tours with a narrow focus on the historic contributions of each group.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
More than a decade before the passage of the Fair Housing Act of 1968, which outlawed racial discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of housing, the Myers family found themselves on the front lines of the fight for equal housing rights.—
Madeleine Wright,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
-
But in the current climate of censorship and funding threats, museums have largely pulled back from the political front lines.—
Greg Allen,
ARTnews.com,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
In addition to the Hot Country Songs ranking, the single also commands the Digital Song Sales, Country Streaming Songs and Country Digital Song Sales lists.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
-
Competing on mission, not salary In a labor market where specialized talent commands premium salaries, the Corps can’t always match private-sector compensation.—
Alena Conley,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
Noun
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Traveling over five times the speed of sound generates immense friction and drag, resulting in the leading edges reaching temperatures beyond 1,650 °C (3,000 °F).—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
2 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Coworth forefronts its equestrian roots, with stables on site as well as polo fields.—
Lydia Bell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Other kinds of teams across the country are connected to this constantly improving information system too, and not just in vans.—
Anne Applebaum,
The Atlantic,
7 June 2026
-
Police said three to four young men targeted vans in the East Garfield Park, West Loop, Near West Side, Loop, and Bridgeport neighborhoods.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spearheads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spearheads. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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