1
as in steers
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 commands
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 guides
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 principals
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 distances
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 tips
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 clues
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of leads
Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Slates in major cities were dominated by Fatah, the faction that leads the Palestinian Authority, and independents, some with ties to other factions.
—Sam Metz, Arkansas Online, 26 Apr. 2026
Such outdoor activities create an instant hierarchy; who leads, who navigates and who sets the pace.
—Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
Krebs has five points in this series, and Tuch leads the team with six points.
—Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
The series generated new information, leads and witness cooperation that had previously been unknown to investigators.
—Francie Ebert, NBC news, 25 Apr. 2026
Not just because Orlando now leads the series 2-1.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Schnabel, of Cornell, said for many religious Americans, faith leads while politics follows.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2026
Galaxy leads the all-time series 37-35-13.
—Daily News, 19 Apr. 2026
Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 25 Apr. 2026
During the game, the Mets blew 1-0 and 2-1 leads.
—Will Sammon, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Among some of these series regulars are lead characters from other novels in Kennedy’s Off Campus series, which is presumably taking on a Bridgerton-like structure in terms of season-by-season leads.
—Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
But despite the viral attention, no immediate leads came in.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2026
The post gained thousands of views, but no immediate leads emerged.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2026
The post gained thousands of views, but despite all that attention, no immediate leads materialized.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
During the renewed investigation, police returned to the 1800 block of Clarke Boulevard and used radar to search for new leads in the disappearance.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
But titles feel almost superfluous aboard Evrima, where everyone from the tender drivers to food and beverage leads will pause to actually get to know you, and recall your name and story (and even your drink order) throughout your stay to make the entire experience feel organic and warm.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
If Ty Simpson develops into a top NFL quarterback who leads the Rams to a Super Bowl title, the club will look back at the 2026 draft as one of the best and shrewdest in its history.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Slates in major cities were dominated by Fatah, the faction that leads the Palestinian Authority, and independents, some with ties to other factions.
—Sam Metz, Arkansas Online, 26 Apr. 2026
Such outdoor activities create an instant hierarchy; who leads, who navigates and who sets the pace.
—Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
Krebs has five points in this series, and Tuch leads the team with six points.
—Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
The series generated new information, leads and witness cooperation that had previously been unknown to investigators.
—Francie Ebert, NBC news, 25 Apr. 2026
Not just because Orlando now leads the series 2-1.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Schnabel, of Cornell, said for many religious Americans, faith leads while politics follows.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2026
Galaxy leads the all-time series 37-35-13.
—Daily News, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
At least one of these AMAs was organized independently of PCL leadership by two team leads, including one who worked directly on the ICE contract for a period of time.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 25 Apr. 2026
During the game, the Mets blew 1-0 and 2-1 leads.
—Will Sammon, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Among some of these series regulars are lead characters from other novels in Kennedy’s Off Campus series, which is presumably taking on a Bridgerton-like structure in terms of season-by-season leads.
—Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
But despite the viral attention, no immediate leads came in.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2026
The post gained thousands of views, but no immediate leads emerged.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2026
The post gained thousands of views, but despite all that attention, no immediate leads materialized.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
During the renewed investigation, police returned to the 1800 block of Clarke Boulevard and used radar to search for new leads in the disappearance.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
But titles feel almost superfluous aboard Evrima, where everyone from the tender drivers to food and beverage leads will pause to actually get to know you, and recall your name and story (and even your drink order) throughout your stay to make the entire experience feel organic and warm.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leads
Verb
-
The Fed traditionally steers clear of political whims when devising monetary policy in part to maintain credibility.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
This year’s event raised money for UpSpire, an employment program; Tarrant Area Food Bank; United Community Centers, focusing on food and literacy; and Tarrant To & Through Partnership, which steers students toward college or careers.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Dean's commitment to authenticity in his music is precisely why Magnolia Sage stands firmly in the territory of a future classic and commands Dean's presence as an artist's artist.—
Chris Barilla,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Don’t look now, but Live Nation is shedding its low-margin promoter roots and emerging as a dominant venue owner/operator that increasingly commands the kind of premium valuation multiple its scale, control and economics justify.—
Justin Zacks,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Diplomacy and the pragmatic duplicity that sometimes accompanies it are ingrained at every level of Iran’s political class.—
Nic Robertson,
CNN Money,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Even in the fallout of this argument, Margo accompanies Jinx to the fan expo.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Israeli government and military have said forces will remain in a buffer zone that spans the countries' border and extends at least six miles into Lebanese territory, and that residents will not be allowed to return home, until the Hezbollah threat is removed.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The decision also extends to OPEC+, a larger group that consists of other oil producers such as Russia.—
Hanna Ziady,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Through the band members’ stories, Méndez guides readers expertly through a historical landscape that may be unfamiliar to them and examines thought-provoking ideas about art and protest.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
-
This agency guides local school districts and also provides partial oversight.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Aside from some bland staging, the principals aren’t the problem.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Terms of the deals were not disclosed, but principals described them as versions of a classic revenue-sharing arrangement, with additional provisions for promotion.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
These are distances hard to fathom.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Trainers release them at incrementally greater distances — 5 miles, then 10, 20, 50, and 75.—
Sharyn Alfonsi,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Sign up to The Selection newsletter for hands-on product reviews, expert shopping tips and a look at the best deals and sales each week.—
Kayla Hayempour,
NBC news,
1 May 2026
-
Move Everyday Activities Outside One of Barry's most practical tips for spending more time on your porch or patio is to move everyday activities outside.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leads. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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