SPEARHEAD Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

spearhead 1 of 2

verb

Definition of spearhead

as in to lead

to serve as leader of unofficially at least, Martin Luther King spearheaded the civil rights movement

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

spearhead

2 of 2

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 spearhead

Verb

The Foundation, created to support an effort spearheaded by first lady Casey DeSantis, quickly redirected its $10 million cut to two organizations — Save our Society from Drugs and Secure Florida’s Future. — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026 Mayoral spokesman John Roach said the nonprofit was the fiduciary for Occupy the Corner, an event spearheaded by Sheffield. — Violet Ikonomova, Freep.com, 27 Aug. 2026

Noun

Between 2020 and 2022, a hoard of Bronze Age artifacts including axes, spearheads, rings and a sword scabbard were discovered by metal detectorists in Wales. — Kerry Breen, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026 The main spearhead of the scheme is Octopus Energy, which became the UK’s largest energy supplier in 2024, said The Independent. — Will Barker, TheWeek, 21 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spearhead

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spearhead

Verb

The secretary insisted he is focused on leading the War Department.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 29 Aug. 2026
Qatar, one of the world’s leading producers of LNG, is trying to find some way to keep its export routes open, through diplomacy, finding new customers, and taking rare opportunities to get their product through Hormuz.

— Katie Silver, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of lead

Noun

Lord’s has not been at the forefront of very much in recent times.

— Ben Jones Aug. 26, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
The move, officials say, gives the mission more heft and eases collaboration with the Navy and Air Force, which are at the forefront of the administration’s campaigns.

— Megan Rose, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of forefront

Verb

And Dean will be the quintessential Mike, commanding the defense as the green dot.

— Sam Warren, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of command

Noun

Its leading edge sweeps back 37 degrees, with a 28-degree sweep along the trailing edge.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 18 Aug. 2026
Many departments across South Florida are adopting AI tools, and some intentionally are not, but the Palm Beach Police Department seems to be on the leading edge of how the technology is being used in law enforcement.

— Laurie Mermet, Sun Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of leading edge

Browse Nearby Words

spearguns

spearhead

spearheaded

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Spearhead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spearhead. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of spearhead

verb

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes