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
Carley Lanich, IndyStar, 10 Feb. 2026
To punish the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its street paramilitaries, who led the recent crackdown?
—Arkansas Online, 10 Feb. 2026
Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
The winner was never really in doubt; there are no lead changes and no must-make plays.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lead
Verb
Suggs is the first woman and person of color to lead the district in its 63-year history.
—Carley Lanich, IndyStar, 10 Feb. 2026
To punish the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its street paramilitaries, who led the recent crackdown?
—Arkansas Online, 10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Other lead prosecutors who were on fraud cases have also left.
—Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
The winner was never really in doubt; there are no lead changes and no must-make plays.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lead
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lead
Verb
-
Harris said sentiment, liquidity and narrative were the dominant forces steering the market.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Foran was tapped to take the wheel, and steer the conglomerate back on course.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Pikmin, the tremendous series of strategy games about a miniature spaceman commanding an army of tiny plant people around gardens, was inspired by his gardening fascination.—
Chris Plante,
Vulture,
10 Feb. 2026
-
But the film’s artistry — overflowing with excess and hedonism and an eye for commanding visuals — is impossible to dismiss.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
He was arrested after authorities found $10,000 in his truck, and 175 pounds of marijuana in the trunk of an accompanying car driven by an associate.—
Mac Engel
February 13,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Several classrooms, a kitchen, a cafeteria and an on-site laundry room accompany the 18-unit building.—
F. Amanda Tugade,
Des Moines Register,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Substitutions will always be scrutinised by supporters when results go badly.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Michael Hicks weighs in on how a copy‑paste bill has lawmakers going after degrees Indiana doesn’t even offer in his latest op-ed.—
Kurtcia Collazo,
IndyStar,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Among the city’s primary efforts in the area is the East Riverside Corridor Planning Initiative, a project aimed at updating two documents intended to guide the area's future.—
Alex Driggars,
Austin American Statesman,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Funding decisions should be guided by student needs, enrollment trends and transparency to ensure equity and strong outcomes across all schools.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Chilean filmmaker spent over three years on the film, shooting the recreations as well as interviews with the principals and researching archive.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Thomas, 42, spoke to the principal and a teacher and was told that the school wouldn’t have the staff to support the students since the party was after school hours.—
Gillian Stawiszynski,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Moreover, the bottle had only ever moved between Burgundy and Bordeaux, a driving distance of roughly 300 miles.—
Pin Yen Tan 9 min ago,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
-
These figures position the platform for regional travel, heavy logistics, and emergency response missions that exceed typical urban air taxi distances.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Any tips on planning a trip here?—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Indigenous hunters, for example, used one type of dart frog poison on the tips of their arrows.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lead. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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