LEADS Synonyms: 206 Similar and Opposite Words

leads 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of lead

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

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Relevance

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as in commands

to serve as leader of a senior programmer is leading the team that is developing the new accounting software

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as in accompanies

to be at the front of the local high school's marching band led the parade

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as in extends

to be positioned along a certain course or in a certain direction this old road leads to an abandoned quarry

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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

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leads

2 of 2

noun

plural of lead

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

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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

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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

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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

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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 leads

Verb

San Diego leads Arizona by a half-game in the race for the National League’s final wild-card spot. — Dennis Lin, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026 Norman, who also leads a host of gloriously entertaining tours around London and beyond, built this show around the same idea — that even the driest elements of history become much more fun when everyone is invited to join in. — Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026 Katrina Shadix, who leads the not-for-profit Bear Warriors United, said her group may again pay hunters who win a bear permit not to use it. — Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026 Creating a safe and inclusive space, the group leads a movement rooted in surf therapy, mental health advocacy and joy. — Madison Beveridge, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 Rock leads an all-star cast of Rosalind Eleazar, Adam Driver, Daniel Kaluuya, Anna Kendrick, Topher Grace and Anthony Anderson. — Jack Dunn, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026 Imanaga has given up a home run in six straight outings and leads MLB with 33 home runs allowed. — Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 The platform CentraLife calls a centralized repository runs leads, calls, policy management, reporting, and compensation across CentraLife’s advisor network as one system. — Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026 The long gallery entry to this corner one-bedroom leads into the spacious living area with four oversize north- and east-facing windows and a pair of dueling chandeliers. — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 24 Aug. 2026

Noun

The department, the suit claimed, failed to investigate leads in order to protect their officers. — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026 Lee, Liddell and Dempsey are actively pursuing funding leads, including the city’s Retail Investment Fund-Grocery and Pharmacy Access Program and have met with city officials about the application. — April Quevedo, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Scott crafted a nifty neo-noir romantic thriller early in his career with some interesting leads. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 Family members are also preparing to travel to Nepal, and some relatives are already on the ground searching for leads. — Marissa Armas, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026 In an industry that measures technical leads in weeks, even a short disruption could affect revenue expectations and send ripples through the broader economy. — Alex Heath, Time, 26 Aug. 2026 In addition to the leads and director Foy, Amazon MGM Studios has boarded Hivemind, with plans to stream the film internationally on Prime Video. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026 Police said the home was immediately secured as a crime scene and investigators began the extensive work of documenting the scene, collecting evidence, conducting interviews and pursuing leads. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026 Polansky said that four of Outer Bioscience’s six current leads are likely to reach commercialization. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 25 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for leads

Verb

Second Dinner said once players choose a starter, the Draft Mode steers the choices to complementary cards, and they’re marked with archetypes.

— Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026
Instead, Gruver steers people toward solid-wood accent tables, side chairs, and case goods such as dressers and buffets.

— Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of steers

Verb

Nuclear power currently commands more political attention, more corporate investment and more technological hype than at any point in at least three decades.

— Interesting Engineering, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026
This coffee table designed by Athena Calderone commands attention with its sculptural block design and almost five-inch-thick travertine top.

— Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of commands

Verb

KrebsOnSecurity’s Brian Krebs said TeamPCP members lacked the operational discipline that usually accompanies a hacking group with its level of accomplishment.

— Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026
That level of integration removes much of the guesswork that traditionally accompanies resin printing.

— Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of accompanies

Verb

This effort extends beyond physical chip export controls, which have proven difficult to enforce, with new legislation like the Remote Access Security Act aiming to curb remote access.

— John Werner, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
The deal also extends the expiration date of non-refundable tax credits issued prior to 2025 by up to five years.

— Gene Maddaus, Variety, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of extends

Verb

Each of his musical pieces tells a story that guides the listener throughout the album, making each listen a unique journey.

— Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 26 Aug. 2026
Some guides damage coral colonies to make these tiny fish easier to show to visitors, but this image was captured by waiting patiently and allowing the animal to appear naturally.

— Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of guides

Noun

Things could be better, which goes without saying in the aftermath of a flu pandemic that has wiped out most of the planet’s human population, but the four principals here could also be dead, so there’s that.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
Soliz said Tuesday that district leadership has already begun working with principals at campuses across the district to make sure individual needs are met at each campus through the leveling process.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of principals

Noun

The approach, developed by a team led by researchers from York University in Toronto, could improve how humanoid robots judge distances, recognize object orientation, and navigate complex environments.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
Death Valley is an extraordinary place, but its heat, distances, and remoteness can be dangerous, regardless of experience.

— Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of distances

Noun

Below, experts provide legal advice on how to handle this situation and keep things as smooth as possible, along with simple yard cleaning tips to help keep your landscape tidy.

— SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 29 Aug. 2026
Mihalich, who shares thrift shopping tips and finds with thousands of followers on Instagram, says buying used clothing is as much about saving money as sustainability.

— Joshua Sidorowicz, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026