1
as in main
coming before all others in importance
they are the leading suppliers of processed meat in the country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in commanding
highest in rank or authority
served as the leading counsel on the defendant's legal team
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in guiding
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in heading
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
as in accompanying
to be at the front of
the local high school's marching band led the parade
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
5
as in showing
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of leading
Judith Magyar, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Jonathan Powell, Britain’s national-security adviser, who helped to broker the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland, took a leading role in the negotiations, and there were subsequent meetings between the two sides in March and in April.
—Sam Knight, New Yorker, 23 May 2025
Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2025
Since the prospectors were going her way, the three left town together, with the men on foot, leading the mules.
—Ben East, Outdoor Life, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leading
Adjective
The first-ever legal framework on AI, the EU AI Act addresses the risks of AI and positions Europe to play a leading role in developing a trustworthy use of AI.
—Judith Magyar, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Jonathan Powell, Britain’s national-security adviser, who helped to broker the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland, took a leading role in the negotiations, and there were subsequent meetings between the two sides in March and in April.
—Sam Knight, New Yorker, 23 May 2025
Verb
They’ve also been accused of taunting Alex for two days in a row, leading him to cover his ears and rock back and forth in anxiety.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2025
Since the prospectors were going her way, the three left town together, with the men on foot, leading the mules.
—Ben East, Outdoor Life, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leading
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leading
Adjective
-
Homelessness is certainly a major problem, said Julie Hayden, CEO of the East County Transitional Living Center, the area’s main shelter.—
Blake Nelson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2025
-
Greenwood never played for his boyhood club again, despite the charges being dropped in February 2023 when the prosecution’s main witness withdrew her cooperation.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
Adjective
-
The Thunder will take a commanding 3-1 lead to their home court on Wednesday when the series shifts back to Oklahoma City.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
27 May 2025
-
There were the three thrilling games for the Florida Panthers against the Carolina Hurricanes in this Eastern Conference final, too, so full of drama and nastiness and easy wins to take a commanding 3-0 lead.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
27 May 2025
Verb
-
Alvarez drops to receive Almada’s pass before guiding it first time to Fernandez.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
The Athletic,
23 Mar. 2025
-
Finding and embracing the traces of making—on both intimate and environmental scales—has become her guiding creative principle.—
Sheldon Pearce,
The New Yorker,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Weezer recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Blue Album, along with an accompanying tour and festival circuit.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Like most wireless cameras, the P1 Max is easy to install and requires only a few screws and a few minutes of time in the accompanying app.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
What matters is that Dan Hurley’s team won, extending its tournament winning streak to 13 games — and, most importantly, keeping alive its dream of a three-peat.—
Brendan Marks,
The Athletic,
22 Mar. 2025
-
By extending the narrative beyond the confines of a talent agency’s office, the series aims to be both a celebration of Madrid’s cultural scene and a reflection of the industry’s inner workings.—
Jamie Lang,
Variety,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Guys weren't expecting to have to do another rebuild this year and their frustration is really showing after the trade a week before training camp has left the team, again, with some odd fitting parts that have to be fitted together on the fly.—
John Hollinger,
The Athletic,
6 Jan. 2025
-
Back in October, TMZ reported news of an alleged split between the pair, but shortly after, the couple was spotted in Tokyo showing much love and affection to one another.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
More than 30,000 actors auditioned for the lead roles since HBO launched an open casting call last fall.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
27 May 2025
-
Russo was the lead author of a 2019 report that identified insufficient staffing as the primary threat to security at correctional facilities.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
27 May 2025
Verb
-
But Warren also gave off the impression he will be heavily involved in steering everything.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Dec. 2024
-
Social media has flipped the power dynamic, turning memes into tools for steering these rivalries.—
Stephanie Gravalese,
Forbes,
10 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Leading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leading. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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