lead with

verb

led with; leading with; leads with

: to begin with (something specified)

The newspaper story led with a long report on the funeral.

: to begin a series of punches in boxing with (a punch thrown by a specified hand)

The champion led with a left to the body, followed up quickly with a right to the jaw.

Examples of lead with in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

The 35-year-old model shared a bunch of photos on Instagram, leading with a mirror selfie in a plunging black one-piece swimsuit featuring a dramatic neckline and high-cut sides. — Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026 Fans at Capital One Arena swung white towels ecstatically after Justin Champagnie converted a shot — also drawing a foul — to give the Wizards a seven-point lead with just over eight minutes left. — Jake Kauderer, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026 In the third quarter, the area was up 14 percent with the Zegna brand leading with double-digit growth in the DTC channel. — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026 Tkachuk gave Florida a 1-0 lead with a power-play goal midway through the first period. — Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lead with

Browse Nearby Words

lead water

lead with

leadwood

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Lead with.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lead%20with. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

lead with

verb

Examples of lead with in a Sentence

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes