ringleader
noun
ring·lead·er
ˈriŋ-ˌlē-dər 
: a leader of a ring of individuals engaged especially in improper or unlawful activities
Examples of ringleader in a Sentence
the ringleader of a gang of criminals
Recent Examples on the Web
Among those recruited was the ringleader’s cousin, referred to as John Doe 111, who allegedly was a member of the Ziploc Money Gang faction operating near Douglas Park on the West Side.
—
Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2025
Among the people who lived in this area was Michael Townsend, who became the de facto ringleader for the artists who created the secret mall apartment.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 Mar. 2025
With black fingernails and facial scruff in his debut years, Demna was seen as a ringleader for all things underground and alternative, exalting the grittier elements of Paris in his collections, along with jolts of S&M and punk, seen in kinky face hoods and spiky sunglasses.
—Miles Socha, WWD, 13 Mar. 2025
Columbia protesters were the ringleader of the movement and saw big escalations between demonstrators and university administrators such as a takeover of a school building and classes moving online.
—Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ringleader
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.
Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2025
Among the people who lived in this area was Michael Townsend, who became the de facto ringleader for the artists who created the secret mall apartment.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 Mar. 2025
With black fingernails and facial scruff in his debut years, Demna was seen as a ringleader for all things underground and alternative, exalting the grittier elements of Paris in his collections, along with jolts of S&M and punk, seen in kinky face hoods and spiky sunglasses.
—Miles Socha, WWD, 13 Mar. 2025
Columbia protesters were the ringleader of the movement and saw big escalations between demonstrators and university administrators such as a takeover of a school building and classes moving online.
—Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ringleader
Cite this Entry
“Ringleader.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ringleader. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ringleader
noun
ring·lead·er
ˈriŋ-ˌlēd-ər
: a leader especially of a group of persons who cause trouble
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share