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
Examples Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of leading
Glenn Garner, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2024
Chesterfield native Nichelle Lewis just landed her second leading role on Broadway.
—Karri Peifer, Axios, 11 Oct. 2024
Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 4 Oct. 2024
The betting data changes throughout each day and the leading online sportsbooks adjust the spread and odds.
—Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for leading 
Adjective
Meanwhile, Ryan Reynolds landed the leading role of Hal Jordan in Green Lantern.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2024
Chesterfield native Nichelle Lewis just landed her second leading role on Broadway.
—Karri Peifer, Axios, 11 Oct. 2024
Verb
Tom Hatten, the founder of Mountainside Fitness who is leading the campaign for the Back the Blue Act, said the measure would show first responders they are supported in Arizona at a time when policing across the nation has generated intense scrutiny.
—Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 4 Oct. 2024
The betting data changes throughout each day and the leading online sportsbooks adjust the spread and odds.
—Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for leading
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leading
Adjective
-
The zinc gradually lost its hold on the cables suspending the telescope’s main platform over the reflector dish.Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
-
The measure’s main opponents, the state Republican Party and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, did not appear to raise any money to campaign against the proposition.Ethan Varian, The Mercury News, 11 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
In District 10, which Mahan represented before becoming mayor, George Casey has defeated incumbent Arjun Batra after jumping out to a commanding lead and winning 57.8% of the vote in his district, according to Friday evening’s vote tally by the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters.Devan Patel, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
-
Gallego took a commanding early lead over Lake in the initial results.Richard Ruelas, The Arizona Republic, 8 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Now that will take time, hard work, intelligence, faith, and women and men with a national good guiding their hearts.Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 4 Oct. 2024
-
Each component within this framework serves as a guiding principle for workers looking to thrive in the future workplace.Santhosh Vijayabaskar, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
Verb
-
Bad for the studio and worse for the theaters that counted on another $135 million or so in box office revenue (and accompanying concessions).Tom Brueggemann, IndieWire, 20 Oct. 2024
-
Keep reading for the best options, plus accompanying input from dermatologists.Sarah Madaus, Allure, 4 Oct. 2024
Verb
-
Stryve Foods is addressing liquidity constraints and evaluating strategies to enhance its liquidity position, including potential equity offerings and extending debt terms.Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
-
The company has borrowed $5,935,000 through promissory notes for extending the combination period and for working capital purposes.Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Great guests engage, make polite conversation and put the focus on others by showing an interest in them.Marni Jameson, arkansasonline.com, 5 Oct. 2024
-
Northern lights map for tonight The center released a map showing the northern lights forecast for Friday night.Alex Sundby, CBS News, 4 Oct. 2024
Adjective
-
Talk of Jordan’s involvement spiked Tuesday when producers of Broadway’s The Great Gatsby announced that actor Ryan McCartan would soon be taking over the lead role of that musical from the exiting Jordan.Greg Evans, Deadline, 21 Nov. 2024
-
The company invests more than $80,000 monthly in marketing and lead generation, but here's the kicker: Haven leads with truth, not hype.Renae Gregoire, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Tesla has been steering away from its electric vehicle (EV) roots, shifting focus towards artificial intelligence and robotics.Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2024
-
Over the next couple of years, Chrysler made other upgrades including steering and braking redundancy that ultimately lead to an AV-ready version of the Pacifica.Sam Abuelsamid, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near leading
Cite this Entry
“Leading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leading. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share