ringleader

noun

ring·​lead·​er ˈriŋ-ˌlē-dər How to pronounce ringleader (audio)
: 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
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.
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 Instead, Nevada prosecutors claim that the former gang leader was the ringleader of the group that shot the rapper in a drive-by shooting. Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 6 Mar. 2025 The court documents show that the thefts have continued even with the arrest last June of a man authorities have described as a ringleader. Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ringleader

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1503, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ringleader was circa 1503

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Cite this Entry

“Ringleader.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ringleader. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

ringleader

noun
ring·​lead·​er ˈriŋ-ˌlēd-ər How to pronounce ringleader (audio)
: a leader especially of a group of persons who cause trouble

More from Merriam-Webster on ringleader

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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