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 As to who the few might be, suspicion immediately falls — and not without good reason — on a gang of genially rowdy final-year teens, whose ringleaders Kou (Yukito Hidaki) and Yuta (Hayao Kurihara) have been best friends since childhood. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 22 Sep. 2024 Voss’s sentencing follows that of Gary Lamont, who in December 2023 received five years in jail, minus time served, for his role as ringleader of the operation. News Desk, Artforum, 9 Sep. 2024 In 2020, South Korean authorities arrested a ringleader of an online network that used Telegram to blackmail and coerce women and children into sharing explicit images of themselves. Dylan Butts, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2024 Ramirez was the ringleader who opened the Savvyshoppersite.com, the base site of their counterfeit operation. Rendy Jones, EW.com, 5 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ringleader 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ringleader.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1503, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ringleader was circa 1503

Dictionary Entries Near ringleader

Cite this Entry

“Ringleader.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ringleader. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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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