1
as in main
coming before all others in importance
they are the leading suppliers of processed meat in the country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in commanding
highest in rank or authority
served as the leading counsel on the defendant's legal team
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in guiding
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in heading
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
as in accompanying
to be at the front of
the local high school's marching band led the parade
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
5
as in showing
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of leading
Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2026
Most leading health organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization, deny any link.
—Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Zeynep Portway, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 May 2026
When Washington Nationals Manager Blake Butera looked back on Friday night’s loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, the two errors — adding to his team’s MLB-leading total — stood out to him.
—Danielle Allentuck, Washington Post, 3 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for leading
Adjective
But for those who might be concerned about the prospect of AI leading surgery, Osorio said that is not the case and that the human touch is still very much involved.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2026
Most leading health organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization, deny any link.
—Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
Zeynep Portway has been executive director of the Samaritan Resource Center in East Orlando since 2020, leading efforts to provide essential services, connect people to housing, and create pathways to long-term stability.
—Zeynep Portway, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 May 2026
When Washington Nationals Manager Blake Butera looked back on Friday night’s loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, the two errors — adding to his team’s MLB-leading total — stood out to him.
—Danielle Allentuck, Washington Post, 3 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for leading
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leading
Adjective
-
The deep main compartment is large enough to fit even straw hats and nicer shoes without squishing them, and this trunk looks equally right in an airport or the lobby of the Carlyle Hotel, Mom’s favorite.—
Amanda Eyre Ward,
Travel + Leisure,
2 May 2026
-
The former senator is another big Democratic recruiting win and is a main reason why this state is a Toss-Up.—
Domenico Montanaro,
NPR,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
Senior midfielder Meghan O’Donnell, who scored her eighth goal of the season during Libertyville’s 3-2 win over Waubonsie Valley on Thursday, said Chung is a commanding presence.—
Bobby Narang,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
Few materials feel so commanding and permanent as concrete.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The final version, which Pinheiro Braathen tested on icy mountains in winter and on sweaty runs in summer, follows Octo’s guiding principle of maximum impact with a minimum of ingredients.—
Justin Fenner,
Robb Report,
2 May 2026
-
Anything less would be an abandonment of the guiding principles of May Day and our movement.—
Sonia Lawrence,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
The couple, who got married in 2012 and share four kids, seem interested in packing their bags and heading across the pond for a while.—
Allison DeGrushe,
StyleCaster,
7 May 2026
-
The intersection carries a heavy mix of airport traffic, including rental cars, taxis, ride-share vehicles, hotel shuttles and workers heading to and from Miami International Airport.—
Theo Karantsalis,
Miami Herald,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
One of the most pleasantly surprising things about visiting the Florida Keys is seeing how many attractions allow for four-legged visitors accompanying their humans.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 May 2026
-
When a tag is struck, a wearable mic, such as a smartwatch or phone, picks up the sound, and accompanying software identifies exactly which tag was struck based on its unique signature.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
And of course Mike Brown pulled Mitchell Robinson, who missed four straight free throws when the 76ers began intentionally fouling him in the first quarter, only to continue extending the lead despite the Sixers’ attempts at stifling his rotation.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
-
For his part, Becerra supports extending existing measures like Propositions 30 and 55, both of which call for much smaller tax increases on a larger share of citizens.—
Douglas Schoen,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Because hair treatment products often take a few months to begin showing results, these customers are expected to be highly loyal.—
Laya Neelakandan,
CNBC,
2 May 2026
-
In the five-minute work, Pau employs snippets lifted from government newsreels, most notably footage of a swimming contest held at Victoria Harbor in the 1960s showing throngs of Hong Kong citizens launching themselves into the ocean and paddling enthusiastically.—
Pauline J. Yao,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
Sacramento Steps Forward has been the lead agency since 2011.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Death by Lightning is nominated for best limited or anthology series, two nominations for lead performance in a limited or anthology series (Matthew Macfadyen and Michael Shannon) and supporting performance in a limited series (Nick Offerman).—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leading. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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