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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of lead
Allison Smith, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
This callous action will especially hurt working families in our state, as Florida leads the nation with 4.6 million people enrolled in ACA health care coverage.
—Roxey Nelson, Sun Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2025
Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Any item produced before 1978 (when lead products were banned in the United States) carries a potential risk.
—Emily Williams, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lead
Verb
Junior guard Gabriela Jaquez also stepped up for UCLA as their leading scorer with 18 points, going 4-for-5 from beyond the arc.
—Allison Smith, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
This callous action will especially hurt working families in our state, as Florida leads the nation with 4.6 million people enrolled in ACA health care coverage.
—Roxey Nelson, Sun Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Fox News Digital reached out to the lead study author and the Georgia Department of Public Health for comment.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Any item produced before 1978 (when lead products were banned in the United States) carries a potential risk.
—Emily Williams, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lead
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lead
Verb
-
In 1942, current Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D-CA) grandfather, William Newsom, steered Pat Brown’s campaign for district attorney.—
Carson Becker,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Mar. 2025
-
The relocation will steer the festival toward a new era.—
Matt Brennan,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
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
-
Their arrests came after a social media video of the four riding their horses through a Walmart in Baker — located about 11 miles north of Baton Rouge — went viral.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
13 Apr. 2025
-
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
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
-
Resistant to technology that can read credit card information from a distance, the new Nordstrom arrival is more than just a safety measure.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
-
In California and New York State, only 3 percent of senior beneficiaries will need to travel such a distance, largely thanks to the high number of field offices in these areas.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 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 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share