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
Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
In most past cycles, initial jobless claims, reported every Thursday morning, have provided a good leading indicator for the likely path of domestic employment.
—Sean Conlon,alex Harring, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
Denise Petski, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025
HarbourView Equity Partners is leading a $30 million investment in Lion Forge Entertainment, one of the entertainment studios behind the Oscar-winning Hair Love.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leading
Adjective
There were still tens of thousands of Covid-19 deaths in the US last year, but suicide moved up to the tenth leading cause of death – with nearly 49,000 lives lost in 2024.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
In most past cycles, initial jobless claims, reported every Thursday morning, have provided a good leading indicator for the likely path of domestic employment.
—Sean Conlon,alex Harring, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
An accomplished writer and producer, Ross is a leading trans activist and founder of the nonprofit Trans Tech Social Enterprises.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025
HarbourView Equity Partners is leading a $30 million investment in Lion Forge Entertainment, one of the entertainment studios behind the Oscar-winning Hair Love.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leading
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leading
Adjective
-
The character collection leans into more alternate builds for main characters.—
Rob Wieland,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Use jig and pigs 18 to 25 feet deep along brush piles or main lake points with a gradual slope.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Andersen, who previously worked for the San Antonio Police Department, has ruddy cheeks and a commanding presence.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Irvine ran the ball, passed the ball and slowed down Laguna Hills’ uptempo offense with a commanding defensive display.—
Martin Henderson,
Oc Register,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In such cases, an AI assistant will be vital for decision-making, monitoring health, and guiding experiments.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The coach who turned 100 last month perhaps is best known for guiding Buffalo to four straight Super Bowls and, alas, losing all four.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The dry-up could leave farmers in central Arizona increasingly reliant on wells and put their crops at risk heading into next year.—
Hayleigh Evans,
AZCentral.com,
20 Sep. 2025
-
According to Lenexa police, Mesfin was traveling north on Park Street when a Ford Bronco heading east on West 89th Terrace went through a stop sign and struck her Toyota RAV4.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Among those arrested at 26 Federal Plaza -- a government building that houses an Immigration and Customs Enforcement office -- were New York City Comptroller Brad Lander who was arrested at the same location in June while accompanying people to immigration court visits.—
Jack Moore,
ABC News,
18 Sep. 2025
-
King Combs ended the accompanying video on an even more personal note.—
Heran Mamo,
Billboard,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Stablecoins now connect digital assets to the machinery of government debt, influencing yields, shaping monetary policy, and extending the reach of the dollar abroad.—
Becca Bratcher,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
To bridge the gap between innovation and investment, Biofabricate is extending its reach beyond London.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Reporters noted that the robot stopped smoothly after the race, showing no signs of fatigue.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The Camera app has been streamlined for simplicity, with just two options, Video and Photo, showing initially.—
David Phelan,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The latter, the lead ship of which was commissioned in January, is designed with stealth technology to enhance capabilities.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
-
As cinnamon is often incorporated into products for babies and young children—who are particularly vulnerable to the potential harmful effects of lead exposure because of their smaller body sizes, rapid metabolism, and growth—the FDA issued multiple public health alerts in the year that followed.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Leading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leading. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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