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.
See Examples For:
The decisive, 19-yard touchdown was delivered by running back Semaj Welch with 1:10 left to give Inglewood the lead for good.
From Los Angeles Times β Oct. 10, 2026
In the lead up to publication of the report, NHS Alliance, which represents health bosses, said the system was in chaos.
From BBC β Oct. 9, 2026
It has been an exceptionally quiet Atlantic hurricane season, broadly consistent with a strong El Niño, said Barnett, referring to a climate pattern that can lead to warmer weather.
From MarketWatch β Oct. 9, 2026
His father held the rights to the story and had played the lead in it on Broadway.
From The Wall Street Journal β Oct. 9, 2026
“You know I wouldn’t lead you wrong,” Trey said.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Police arrived to make their arrest late that night, leading Serhii K away from the glamping site and his family in handcuffs.
From BBC β Oct. 10, 2026
The listing is welcome for London’s exchange, which has been hit by a drought of listings and a deluge of takeover deals and delistings, leading to an exodus of household names.
From The Wall Street Journal β Oct. 9, 2026
But it was not only a strong season on paper — Ditka is credited with leading the Bears back to relevance and luster after losing records in 1980, 1981 and 1982.
From Los Angeles Times β Oct. 9, 2026
Artificial intelligence's ability to find previously unknown ways to hack into computer systems is in the global spotlight, as leading labs release ever-more advanced models.
From Barron's β Oct. 9, 2026
Mr. Hodge jumped down from the stairs and began leading the group through a hallway and out a door at the back of the school.
From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix
The plaintiffs argue that the state’s “excessive” pumping from the Delta has led more growers to plant water-intensive almond and pistachio orchards across vast stretches of the San Joaquin Valley.
From Los Angeles Times β Oct. 9, 2026
Singer Blunt, who had led the charge against her, appears to have now put himself in the frame.
From BBC β Oct. 9, 2026
As he led New Yorkers through the third anniversary of Oct.
From The Wall Street Journal β Oct. 9, 2026
The Fed is currently led by Chairman Kevin Warsh, a Trump appointee.
From MarketWatch β Oct. 9, 2026
When I asked him for directions, he took me by the arm and led me himself to the proper platform.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
Vocabulary lists containing lead
Black and Gray
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Journalism
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Theater - Introductory
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