1
as in to steer
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 to command
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 to guide
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 principal
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 distance
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 tip
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 cue
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
as in leading
highest in rank or authority
the lead diplomat is responsible for making policy for the entire embassy
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 lead
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2025
Both sides eclipsed triple digits in the second overtime, a charge on the Maryland side led by Te-Biasu’s pair of 3-pointers.
—Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 25 Mar. 2025
Sweta Kaushal, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Those expenditures were driven in part by a reduction in the number of deputies since COVID-19.
— SOIL TESTING: The county will allocate $3 million to help homeowners in the Eaton burn area test their soil for lead contamination.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lead
Verb
The Miami Heat enters an important game in Chicago with its leading trio will be available for the first time in nearly two weeks..
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2025
Both sides eclipsed triple digits in the second overtime, a charge on the Maryland side led by Te-Biasu’s pair of 3-pointers.
—Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
The film featuring Sunny Deol and Randeep Hooda in lead roles, grossed slightly less than $10 million in a week at the global ticket windows and managed to cross that mark within ten days at the box office.
—Sweta Kaushal, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Those expenditures were driven in part by a reduction in the number of deputies since COVID-19.
— SOIL TESTING: The county will allocate $3 million to help homeowners in the Eaton burn area test their soil for lead contamination.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lead
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lead
Verb
-
But those launches are usually accompanied by airspace and maritime warning notices to ensure pilots and sailors steer clear of the test.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Trump has steered the White House toward a rapprochement with the Kremlin, monitored with apprehension by most of the U.S.' allies and many domestic lawmakers.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Rema commanded a lively crowd at the Moody Theatre headlining the fourth night of Rolling Stone’s Future of Music showcase at SXSW in Austin.—
Mankaprr Conteh,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2025
-
The camera responded instantly to my Alexa voice commands to stream video to an Amazon Echo Show display.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Those signs, accompanied by a menacing growl and a hard stare often suggest that the dog is feeling threatened.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
-
But those launches are usually accompanied by airspace and maritime warning notices to ensure pilots and sailors steer clear of the test.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
If one or two bounces had gone the other way, Dartmouth would have advanced to the final four for the first time in school history.—
Jay King,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
-
The rest of the Rockies went hitless in their 39 at-bats against the two Padres starters.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Our customers seek to be informed, guided and cared for.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Sophisticated learning tools now guide workers through financial literacy, supply chain management basics, and other adjacent skills—paving the way for internal mobility in ways that were previously out of reach, especially for deskless or mobile workers.—
Rhett Power,
Forbes.com,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Lowering interest is a way to help graduates pay down their principal faster instead of watching balances swell with interest each year.—
Shahar Ziv,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Upon maturity, banks return the depositor’s principal plus interest.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The lake is nine feet deep at a 35-foot distance from the shoreline, according to the university.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
23 Apr. 2025
-
One of the most significant breakthroughs in diagnostics has been the shift toward bringing testing closer to people, reducing barriers like distance, time, and lack of privacy.—
Jennifer Lotito,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
My search for these cases began with a tip about Mary’s death.—
Sarah Stillman,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
-
While the league’s postseason tips off in full this weekend, the Hornets will only be spectators.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lead. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.
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