lead
Usage
What are other ways to say lead?
To lead is to bring onward in a course, guiding by contact or by going in advance; hence, figuratively, to influence or induce to some course of conduct: to lead a procession; to lead astray. Guide implies continuous presence or agency in showing or indicating a course: to guide a traveler. To conduct is to precede or escort them to a place, sometimes with a degree of ceremony: to conduct a guest to his room. To direct is to give information for guidance, or instructions or orders for a course of procedure: to direct someone to the station.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I’ve had personal experience with how this can lead to bias in someone like Scott Pelley—namely, Scott Pelley.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026
In 2020, Zendaya became the youngest lead drama actress winner ever with her first “Euphoria” Emmy.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026
Craig Mather was teaching his musical theatre class when he received a call on Thursday from a director to say that their lead had fallen ill.
From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026
Fashioning your lead actor as a totem to project your thoughts about apathy and loneliness would be a risky move for anyone other than writer-director Amanda Kramer, who’s made a career out of brazen chicness.
From Salon • Jun. 10, 2026
The one in the lead was a stout party, balder than any egg.
From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck
Vocabulary lists containing lead
Black and Gray
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Journalism
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Theater - Introductory
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