1
as in steers
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 commands
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 guides
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 principals
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 distances
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 tips
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 clues
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of leads
Tim Crowley, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Junior running back Kendrick Raphael (39 carries, 201 yards, TD) leads a rushing attack that’s averaging 118 yards a game.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Sep. 2025
The film’s tonal inconsistencies hurt its impossibly talented co-leads considerably.
—Tomris Laffly, Variety, 16 Sep. 2025
Bleeding leads Obviously, interest in violent imagery is not something that started with or is limited to social media or digital technologies.
—Zeynep Tufekci, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
This outlook skews their view of modern gender dynamics and leads them to direct anger and resentment towards women and girls.
—Ashleigh N. Deluca, Parents, 16 Sep. 2025
Looking at country-wise data, India leads the show with 59% AI implementation in businesses, followed by the UAE and Singapore at 58% and 53% respectively.
—Padmakumar Nair, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Officials urged non-responding personnel to stay clear of the area while the Coast Guard leads the investigation into the cause of the incident.
—Doc Louallen, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2025
Editors are getting their schedules in order, models are running to castings, and backstage hair leads, like icon Lacy Redway, are busy updating their kits.
—Essence, 9 Sep. 2025
Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
As Republicans hold narrow leads in both chambers of Congress, the races may offer Democrats key opportunities to flip seats in the 2026 midterms.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Tom’s task force is spinning out without any promising leads.
—Grace Byron, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2025
Officials are working through nearby neighborhoods, contacting people with doorbell cameras and speaking to witnesses to identify any leads, Mason said.
—Jon Haworth, ABC News, 12 Sep. 2025
Per usual, Fox News held big leads over its rivals on both nights.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025
Their leads include Dominican newcomer Valentina Shen Wu, who had to be persuaded several times to take on the role of the Chinese silk maker, Mei.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 8 Sep. 2025
Comer has requested the Treasury Department turn over suspicious activity reports that were generated by banks related to activities by Epstein and Maxwell, which could provide new information and leads.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 8 Sep. 2025
On the one hand, the more time spent focusing on the two leads, the better.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
His power continued and now in a contract year, Schwarber leads MLB with 53 home runs and helped Philadelphia win a second-consecutive NL East title.
—Tim Crowley, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Junior running back Kendrick Raphael (39 carries, 201 yards, TD) leads a rushing attack that’s averaging 118 yards a game.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Sep. 2025
The film’s tonal inconsistencies hurt its impossibly talented co-leads considerably.
—Tomris Laffly, Variety, 16 Sep. 2025
Bleeding leads Obviously, interest in violent imagery is not something that started with or is limited to social media or digital technologies.
—Zeynep Tufekci, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
This outlook skews their view of modern gender dynamics and leads them to direct anger and resentment towards women and girls.
—Ashleigh N. Deluca, Parents, 16 Sep. 2025
Looking at country-wise data, India leads the show with 59% AI implementation in businesses, followed by the UAE and Singapore at 58% and 53% respectively.
—Padmakumar Nair, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Officials urged non-responding personnel to stay clear of the area while the Coast Guard leads the investigation into the cause of the incident.
—Doc Louallen, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2025
Editors are getting their schedules in order, models are running to castings, and backstage hair leads, like icon Lacy Redway, are busy updating their kits.
—Essence, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
Since The White Lotus features ensemble casts without leads, nearly all of the show’s nominations came in the supporting categories.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
As Republicans hold narrow leads in both chambers of Congress, the races may offer Democrats key opportunities to flip seats in the 2026 midterms.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Tom’s task force is spinning out without any promising leads.
—Grace Byron, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2025
Officials are working through nearby neighborhoods, contacting people with doorbell cameras and speaking to witnesses to identify any leads, Mason said.
—Jon Haworth, ABC News, 12 Sep. 2025
Per usual, Fox News held big leads over its rivals on both nights.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025
Their leads include Dominican newcomer Valentina Shen Wu, who had to be persuaded several times to take on the role of the Chinese silk maker, Mei.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 8 Sep. 2025
Comer has requested the Treasury Department turn over suspicious activity reports that were generated by banks related to activities by Epstein and Maxwell, which could provide new information and leads.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 8 Sep. 2025
On the one hand, the more time spent focusing on the two leads, the better.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leads
Verb
-
Barajas steers away from newer methods like using a diffuser or autoclave in her process and uses American whiskey barrels for the product’s 6-month resting process.—
Carley Rojas Ávila,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
-
The majority of long-range computer models (also called spaghetti models) suggest that the storm will follow a familiar track this season — a curve north that steers it clear of the Caribbean and Florida.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
However, Trump still commands strong support from his conservative base.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
-
That Tory commands such high wattage front row attendees speaks to how much her brand and fashion resonates with women.—
Blue Carreon,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
That track dropped in late May and is featured on the soundtrack that accompanies the Brad Pitt film F1.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Kessler works as a physiotherapist and often accompanies her daughter to awards shows and movie premieres.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Most recent direct interpretation is Labubu creator Kasing Lung’s collaboration with LVMH’s luxury bag brand Moynat but bigger picture, luxury’s charm offensive extends from Glossier to Balenciaga—both of which transformed recent product launches into key-chain charm versions.—
Stephanie Hirschmiller,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
-
David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images The Oakley Meta Vanguard smart glasses have a sportier look than the Oakley Meta HSTN glasses thanks to a wraparound design that extends its colorful lenses around a person's temples.—
Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The state’s Brown Act, which guides how government meetings function, lists what constitutes disruptive behavior.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
19 Sep. 2025
-
This general framing, which includes diverse activities under a single category, guides investigations and prosecutions.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The duo, who currently have a deal with Warner Bros’ New Line, will be behind a new genre label at the studio, serving as principals overseeing the development, production and release of high-concept genre films.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Giving kids the space to just be kids Every day at Camp Rise, about 300 kids share breakfast with teachers, principals and counselors from Milwaukee Public Schools and MKE Rec who staff the summer program as counselors.—
Cleo Krejci,
jsonline.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
All the victories were gate to wire fashion at sprint distances.—
Danny Brewer,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The robot firm has also revealed its new robotic equipment that allows humans to access and control this humanoid from large distances.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Read More Vogue Daily newsletter Get the latest fashion stories, style, and tips, handpicked for you, every day.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
21 Sep. 2025
-
Nurses are paid around $23 to $30 per hour, plus tips, depending on the Rowan studio location, according to the company’s recent job listings.—
Jennifer Liu
Tasia Jensen,
CNBC,
20 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Leads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leads. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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