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
Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 1 July 2025
Fortune helped edit the autobiography of leading Black intellectual Booker T. Washington, and his civil rights organization, National Afro-American League, is considered an important predecessor to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 23 June 2025
Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 11 July 2025
Larger-scale artificial intelligence deals are accelerating, lead analyst Dan Ives wrote in a note to clients Thursday.
—Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for lead
Verb
Studios with a deal for FilmRise, a leading indie distributor of digital streaming content.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 1 July 2025
Fortune helped edit the autobiography of leading Black intellectual Booker T. Washington, and his civil rights organization, National Afro-American League, is considered an important predecessor to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 23 June 2025
Adjective
The lead actors are not among those still owed money.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 11 July 2025
Larger-scale artificial intelligence deals are accelerating, lead analyst Dan Ives wrote in a note to clients Thursday.
—Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for lead
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lead
Verb
-
This level of confidence from Oakley is helping steer their vision of the future with the help of innovators like Meta AI, Axiom Space, and Travis Scott.—
Cassell Ferere,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
There is also a neutral setting between forward and reverse that lets the watercraft drift, a nice change from the old days of not being able to steer at all if there was no thrust.—
Jeremy Korzeniewski,
Robb Report,
12 July 2025
Verb
-
Mize, though, is commanding the ball better than ever before, posting career highs in strike percentage and thriving with a career-best 69.7 first-pitch strike rate.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
6 July 2025
-
Oversight is divided between U.S. Army commands in Fort Bliss, Texas, and Fort Huachuca, Ariz.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
5 July 2025
Verb
-
The black paint on accompanying bicycle pumps also exceeded federal lead limits for paint.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
-
He was accompanied on his visit by Texas Republican Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, members of his Cabinet and other Texas lawmakers.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
But everything depends on next weekend’s figures after the arrival of the first major box office threat, and the bigger the box office impact, the faster Jurassic World’s plans for a billion dollar summer may go extinct.—
Mark Hughes,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2025
-
Montgomery went 3-for-5 with the first-inning RBI triple and singles in the fourth and seventh innings in his second major-league game.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
6 July 2025
Verb
-
His legacy was the tradition of limited government and individual responsibility that guides us back to our true north when America gets off track.—
Linda McMahon,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 July 2025
-
And last month, Kennedy dismissed an expert panel of vaccine advisers that has historically guided the federal government’s vaccine recommendations, a move that concerned public health officials across the country.—
Deidre McPhillips,
CNN Money,
5 July 2025
Noun
-
What adds to the speculation is the claim made by Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 July 2025
-
During a news conference on Friday at the British Grand Prix, questions were put to three team principals about Mayer’s announcement.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
5 July 2025
Noun
-
Bears like to keep their distance from groups of people.—
Mike Stunson
July 14,
Kansas City Star,
14 July 2025
-
Šefčovič reiterated on Monday his belief that a deal had been within touching distance before Trump’s latest tariff salvo.—
Anna Cooban,
CNN Money,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
My tip is to go beyond internet research—personally connect with potential clients to understand their mission-critical needs.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
Have any news tips or story ideas about the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona?—
Raphael Romero Ruiz,
AZCentral.com,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lead. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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