1
as in to steer
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 to command
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 to guide
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 principal
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 distance
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 tip
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 cue
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
as in leading
highest in rank or authority
the lead diplomat is responsible for making policy for the entire embassy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of lead
Okla Jones, Essence, 30 Mar. 2025
The thin, delicate skin of the under-eye can easily become dry and flaky, but too emollient of a texture can lead makeup to shift or smudge.
—Jessica Ourisman, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Any item produced before 1978 (when lead products were banned in the United States) carries a potential risk.
—Emily Williams, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lead
Verb
Uzo Aduba leads Netflix’s The Residence with razor-sharp wit and depth.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 30 Mar. 2025
The thin, delicate skin of the under-eye can easily become dry and flaky, but too emollient of a texture can lead makeup to shift or smudge.
—Jessica Ourisman, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Fox News Digital reached out to the lead study author and the Georgia Department of Public Health for comment.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Any item produced before 1978 (when lead products were banned in the United States) carries a potential risk.
—Emily Williams, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lead
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lead
Verb
-
In 1942, current Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D-CA) grandfather, William Newsom, steered Pat Brown’s campaign for district attorney.—
Carson Becker,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Mar. 2025
-
The relocation will steer the festival toward a new era.—
Matt Brennan,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The camera responded instantly to my Alexa voice commands to stream video to an Amazon Echo Show display.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Rema commanded a lively crowd at the Moody Theatre headlining the fourth night of Rolling Stone’s Future of Music showcase at SXSW in Austin.—
Mankaprr Conteh,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The fact sheet accompanying the order is wide-ranging: a policy aimed at correcting global imbalances, restoring manufacturing, reshoring supply chains, confronting non-market economies, and ensuring the defense industrial base is no longer dependent on foreign adversaries.—
Dewardric L. McNeal,
CNBC,
6 Apr. 2025
-
Fascination has accompanied each of Altuve’s first six starts in left field.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The wage gap among full-time workers also widened in 2023 — the first time this has happened since 2003 — going from women making about $10,390 less in 2022 to making about $11,550 less.—
Justin L. Mack,
Axios,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Fast forward two seasons when the Horned Frogs went 34-4, doubled their home attendance to 3,223 per game and hosted a NCAA Tournament game against Louisville in front of a sellout crowd at Schollmaier Arena.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Artists need to be prioritized, supported and guided.—
Katcy Stephan,
Variety,
1 Apr. 2025
-
According to a college admissions consultant who spoke to The Post, 10 college seniors whom the consultant guided through the process and who were accepted to Columbia have all decided to enroll elsewhere.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Related Story Earlier this month, the Concordia Parish sheriff announced that will hold a sheriff’s sale for the shuttered mill, which owes approximately $32.5 million in principal, interest, and late charges to the Jefferson Financial Federal Credit Union and Greater Nevada Credit Union.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
31 Mar. 2025
-
Yes, their principal is backed by the same government credit as a standard Treasury.—
Dave Birnbaum,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Resistant to technology that can read credit card information from a distance, the new Nordstrom arrival is more than just a safety measure.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
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In California and New York State, only 3 percent of senior beneficiaries will need to travel such a distance, largely thanks to the high number of field offices in these areas.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Here are a few tips for managing your old accounts after consolidating your debt.—
Christina Majaski,
Sacbee.com,
3 Apr. 2025
-
Below, experts in podiatry and physical therapy share their best tips for shopping for flat foot-friendly walking shoes, plus options that are just begging to be worn on your daily walks.—
Sara Coughlin,
SELF,
3 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lead. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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