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
Kevin Breuninger,luke Fountain, CNBC, 17 Jan. 2026
Hannah Arrowood, executive director of Present Age Ministries, spearheads a partnership with the Charlotte Metro Human Trafficking Task Force in an attempt to understand and combat the rise in cases.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 17 Nov. 2025
Irwin has followed in his late father Steve's footsteps in conservation work, and now spearheads the efforts of the Australia Zoo and Wildlife Warriors.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 12 Nov. 2025
In addition, Brown spearheads Lionsgate’s interactive games and consumer products segments.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2025
His eldest son Lorenzo, who joined the company in 2017, spearheads the group’s ESG efforts and forward-facing evolution.
—Wwd Staff, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
Melissa Beeson Dixon, director of operations, lives on-site and spearheads the animal husbandry, manages volunteers and coordinates the various programs.
—Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
Xala’s Sierra a Mar foundation spearheads its conservation work, including support for the local turtle sanctuary Campamento Tortuguero Chalacatepec.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2024
Verb
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who spearheads the bloc’s trade policy, issued a sharp rebuke to the White House’s ultimatum, framing the tariffs not just as a trade dispute but as a test of Western values.
—Kevin Breuninger,luke Fountain, CNBC, 17 Jan. 2026
Hannah Arrowood, executive director of Present Age Ministries, spearheads a partnership with the Charlotte Metro Human Trafficking Task Force in an attempt to understand and combat the rise in cases.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 17 Nov. 2025
Irwin has followed in his late father Steve's footsteps in conservation work, and now spearheads the efforts of the Australia Zoo and Wildlife Warriors.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 12 Nov. 2025
In addition, Brown spearheads Lionsgate’s interactive games and consumer products segments.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2025
His eldest son Lorenzo, who joined the company in 2017, spearheads the group’s ESG efforts and forward-facing evolution.
—Wwd Staff, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
Melissa Beeson Dixon, director of operations, lives on-site and spearheads the animal husbandry, manages volunteers and coordinates the various programs.
—Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
Xala’s Sierra a Mar foundation spearheads its conservation work, including support for the local turtle sanctuary Campamento Tortuguero Chalacatepec.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spearheads
Verb
-
Lamar leads nominations with nine (and has already won multiple awards before the premiere ceremony), followed by Lady Gaga and producers Cirkut and Jack Antonoff, each of whom has seven.—
Kevin Crust,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The Riverside County sheriff, a conservative Republican, leads recent California governor’s race polls as eight Democratic candidates split the left’s votes, a trend Matt Mahan’s entry could amplify.—
Bay Area News Group,
Mercury News,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Nearly four years later, Russian forces continue to grind along the front lines achieving incremental territorial gains at an extremely high cost, while Ukraine has managed to retake vast areas that Moscow initially invaded.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Based in San Francisco, Calamia is on the front lines, advocating for non-binary divisions within major marathons across the United States.—
Jayden Gonzalez,
Miami Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
When John commands Cal to cut his long hair, Cal rebels by dyeing it platinum and trimming it into a chin-length bob.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
-
At three stories and 27,000 square feet, the project commands attention, taking place on a lot previously occupied by three buildings.—
Bebe Hodges,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
And London’s roads aren’t just used by cars, vans and trucks.—
Laurie Winkless,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Some were used for daily commutes and left in garages as families fled; others were trucks and vans packed with landscaping gear or tools.—
Marah Eakin,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spearheads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spearheads. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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