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
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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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of leading
Carlton Reid, WIRED, 22 Nov. 2024
And a Black actor, Cynthia Erivo, plays a leading role formerly popularized by a white performer in the stage production.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024
Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 1 Dec. 2024
This hands-on exposure sparked Wozniak’s creativity and curiosity, ultimately leading him to become one of the most influential innovators in tech.
—Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 1 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for leading 
Adjective
In 2016, the organization released breakthrough research that alleged how leading companies were ignoring the environmental and human exploitation endemic in the extraction of the 30 metals and minerals necessary for EVs.
—Carlton Reid, WIRED, 22 Nov. 2024
And a Black actor, Cynthia Erivo, plays a leading role formerly popularized by a white performer in the stage production.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024
Verb
Bettors can profit from the experience with leading online sportsbooks providing additional promotions over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
—Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 1 Dec. 2024
This hands-on exposure sparked Wozniak’s creativity and curiosity, ultimately leading him to become one of the most influential innovators in tech.
—Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 1 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for leading
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leading
Adjective
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Assad's fall came after his main backers, Russia, Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah, were either distracted or weakened by other conflicts.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024
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With this strategic push, Delta foresees its premium ticket revenue exceeding its main cabin by 2027 and says more than half of its current revenue comes from premium experiences.Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 7 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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As a result, the Eagles possessed the ball for 12:58 of the 15 minutes in the third to take a commanding lead.Mike DeFabo, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
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Others won’t want to commit to Microsoft Azure as their cloud platform, despite Microsoft’s commanding lead in generative AI.Kathleen Gallagher, Journal Sentinel, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
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For me, this approach to innovation—incorporating both operational efficiency and community impact—has become a guiding principle.Mustafa Gandhi, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
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Influencers play a key role in this balance, guiding Gen Zers to brands that offer both quality and value, creating a powerful alignment between consumer desires and brand positioning this holiday season.Nandan Sheth, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
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However, the accompanying video and photos from the event on December 6 reveal a significant number of weapons.Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 9 Dec. 2024
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The accompanying photo roll chronicled their love affair through pictures of the couple smiling in the car, making out in a photo booth, posing in velvety medieval gear, taking naps and hikes and, in the golden shot, Long getting down on one knee to propose.Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Lawmaker requests include extending a form of humanitarian relief known as Temporary Protected Status and making more immigrants eligible for it, expediting Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewals and getting a resolution for individuals with pending asylum cases.Alexandra Banner, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024
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But other issues remain to be decided, potentially extending what has become a long and expensive series of fights over record requests at the 72-unit complex, located near the beach in Boca Raton.Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Over time, consistency in both results and integrity can help bridge the gap, showing that your values align with the company’s legacy and aspirations.Mustafa Gandhi, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
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The nearly 300-mile trek from Atlanta was pivotal in showing the Confederacy was falling apart as Sherman’s troops gutted much of the key slave state.Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Valtonen, the archive’s lead researcher, tells Designboom’s Kat Barandy that the Nokia Design Archive is as much about the people who made Nokia products as the products themselves.Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Dec. 2024
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Fast forward to June of this year, when Spain was the lead sponsor of the Fancy Food Show in NYC.Sofia Perez, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
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But Warren also gave off the impression he will be heavily involved in steering everything.Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 11 Dec. 2024
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Social media has flipped the power dynamic, turning memes into tools for steering these rivalries.Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near leading
Cite this Entry
“Leading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leading. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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