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

The ringleaders bribed postal carriers to steal the refund checks from the mail and gave accomplices phony identification to use at check-cashing places. —Brian Sloan, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2025

The two sat at the head of the table during team dinners, were the ringleaders of fantasy football, the big bettors in cards, Lowe said. —Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025

Opening arguments are scheduled to begin Monday in federal court in Minneapolis for the trial of the alleged ringleader of the Feeding our Future fraud scheme. —Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 9 Feb. 2025

Noem joined an immigration enforcement raid in New York City Tuesday morning in which officers picked up Anderson Zambrano-Pacheco, 26, an alleged ringleader of the violent Tren de Aragua gang. —Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 1 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1503, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ringleader

• cheerleader
• proofreader
• bleeder
• breeder
• feeder
• leader
• lieder
• meader
• pleader
• reader
• reeder
• seeder

Kids Definition

ringleader

noun

ring·​lead·​er ˈriŋ-ˌlēd-ər 

: a leader especially of a group of persons who cause trouble