as in tempts
to lead away from a usual or proper course by offering some pleasure or advantage
a con man whose dupes are usually led on by their own greed and eagerness to turn an easy buck
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Recent Examples of leads on
When Michael left the band in 1984, Jackie continued with The Jacksons, splitting leads on the group’s last album with Jermaine.
—
Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 26 Apr. 2026
The government argued the two anonymous plaintiffs had never been personally targeted and therefore had no basis to sue, noting that a state department review of 5,000 leads on campus protesters resulted in visa revocations in less than 1% of cases.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
While the bullpen has lost closer Robert Suarez, LHP Adrián Morejón and RHPs Mason Miller, Jason Adam and Jeremiah Estrada figure to have leads on lock after the fifth inning.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
China leads on clean energy technologies and its emissions are starting to fall.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 22 Feb. 2026
Montgomery was among the players working on fundamentals such as secondary leads on the bases before taking a few cuts in the cages.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
Authorities working on the case are currently examining Walmart sales records for possible leads on the culprit due to the backpack and clothing he was seen wearing on the doorbell camera of Nancy’s home.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 16 Feb. 2026
Both the Tenerife and Manchester offices will operate under Head of Studio Helen Brown, who leads on production, recruitment and talent development.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
Instead of the battlefield, the defenseman and Woodstock native leads on the ice as a fifth-year veteran for his team.
—Kaley Fedko, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 26 Apr. 2026
The government argued the two anonymous plaintiffs had never been personally targeted and therefore had no basis to sue, noting that a state department review of 5,000 leads on campus protesters resulted in visa revocations in less than 1% of cases.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
While the bullpen has lost closer Robert Suarez, LHP Adrián Morejón and RHPs Mason Miller, Jason Adam and Jeremiah Estrada figure to have leads on lock after the fifth inning.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
China leads on clean energy technologies and its emissions are starting to fall.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 22 Feb. 2026
Montgomery was among the players working on fundamentals such as secondary leads on the bases before taking a few cuts in the cages.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
Authorities working on the case are currently examining Walmart sales records for possible leads on the culprit due to the backpack and clothing he was seen wearing on the doorbell camera of Nancy’s home.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 16 Feb. 2026
Both the Tenerife and Manchester offices will operate under Head of Studio Helen Brown, who leads on production, recruitment and talent development.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
Instead of the battlefield, the defenseman and Woodstock native leads on the ice as a fifth-year veteran for his team.
—Kaley Fedko, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leads on
Verb
-
Frida is the most significant secondary figure — the person who tempts Gabrielle away from her trajectory, making her pause and ponder roads not taken.—
Jon Frosch,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
-
Boxing tempts him, the business world motivates him and his role as a promoter excites him.—
Jorge Ebro
May 6,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Vulcano About an hour ferry ride from Milazzo, Vulcano lures visitors with its active volcano, Gran Cratere, and open-air mud baths just steps from the port, where bathers slather on the mineral-rich goodness before rinsing in the sea.—
Nicky Swallow,
Travel + Leisure,
17 May 2026
-
Spring’s warmer weather lures people outdoors – and into possible contact with ticks that spread Lyme disease.—
Lakshmi Chauhan,
The Conversation,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Intrigued, the Duke secretly seduces Gilda, breaks her heart and destroys Rigoletto’s life.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
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The victim of his sacrifice is Gretchen, a virgin whom Faust seduces and abandons in his devilish reverie, and who kills their illegitimate child.—
Merve Emre,
New Yorker,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Its aggressive marketing strategy persuades users to buy a vast range of items at cheaper prices.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
8 May 2026
-
Whale lusts after a hunky gardener (Brendan Fraser) and persuades him to pose for a few sketches; Julian, though bisexual, expresses no such interest in Lori, and any art-making turns out to be a gratifyingly mutual endeavor.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The blue light entices mosquitos, gnats, flies, and fruit flies, luring them to their demise on an unforgiving sticky pad.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 May 2026
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Borage An annual herb with bright bluish-purple flowers, borage entices important insects to the garden.—
Lauren David,
Martha Stewart,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leads on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leads%20on. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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