leader

noun

ˈlē-dər How to pronounce leader (audio)
Definition of leadernext
1
as in pioneer
one that takes the lead or sets an example an architectural firm that is widely regarded as a leader in innovative residential design

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in boss
the person (as an employer or supervisor) who tells people and especially workers what to do the team leader is good at making sure that everyone keeps busy at their assigned tasks

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in conduit
a long hollow cylinder for carrying a substance (as a liquid or gas) the leader funnels water off of the roof and down into the cistern

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 leader According to Smith, citizens of East Florida even burned the leaders behind the Declaration of Independence in effigy. — Hank Tester, CBS News, 1 July 2026 The union’s chief negotiator urged Newsom and the state’s other leaders to include a raise for SEIU Local 1000 employees in light of the state’s relatively strong budget. — William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026 In the weeks since Fable 5 and Mythos 5 were forced out of commission, industry leaders and experts became increasingly worried that the ad-hoc ban would threaten America’s AI lead against China. — Jared Perlo, NBC news, 1 July 2026 Beijing — For years, Chinese leader Xi Jinping has pushed ethnic minority groups like Tibetans and Uyghurs to adopt an identity rooted in Chinese nationality and allegiance to the ruling Communist Party. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for leader
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leader
  1. pioneer
  2. boss
  3. conduit
  4. pacesetter
  5. foreman
  6. pipe
  7. captain
  8. channel
Noun
  • As a kid, Grant was an Eagle scout, and essentially built a historical trail after discovering pioneer grave sites.
    — Sam McDowell July 1, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026
  • The pioneer of the world’s largest Bitcoin asset treasury attended the president’s first crypto summit at the White House in March 2025.
    — Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 1 July 2026
Definition of pioneer
Noun
  • Among those courtside include members of the NBA champ New York Knicks; Kelce’s Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, other teammates and coaches; ex-Disney boss Bob Iger and spouse Willow Bay; and current Disney powerhouse Dana Walden.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 3 July 2026
  • And ordering wine even when the boss hasn’t is exactly that—showing bold initiative.
    — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 3 July 2026
Definition of boss
Noun
  • Is entrepreneurial-minded, understands there will be a lot of heavy lifting, and is naturally eager to be a conduit for the feedback loop.
    — Kate Morgan, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • Now, with the recent release of the MPC One G2, MPC Live III Retro, and MPC Key 37 G2, Akai has repositioned itself as a conduit between producers and musicians of all ages, with products built for the past, present, and future.
    — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of conduit
Noun
  • As pacesetter Powershift fell behind down the stretch, Commandment and Golden Tempo burst ahead, running neck-and-neck before Golden Tempo pulled away and crossed the finish line by more than a length.
    — Emily Ohman, New York Times, 6 June 2026
  • Though a genre-fluid affair, the Blue Note fest also features some of the most adventurous pacesetters in modern jazz, among them the flautist Shabaka, the London septet Kokoroko, the trumpeter Chief Adjuah, and the harpist Brandee Younger.
    — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 22 May 2026
Definition of pacesetter
Noun
  • Hauser played hardened ranch foreman Rip Wheeler on the Paramount Network series that ran from 2018 to 2024.
    — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026
  • Beth, the daughter of the late John Dutton (Kevin Costner), and Rip, the Dutton ranch’s longtime foreman and fixer, have become one of TV's most beloved and volatile couples.
    — Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026
Definition of foreman
Noun
  • Anxiety rises in Moscow Russian media have reported that people are waiting up to 18 hours in lines at the pump, with internet memes popping up, one showing people setting up tables with drinks and shisha pipes next to their stationary cars.
    — Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • Nothing ruins a good karaoke night like that one friend who wants to show off their Mariah Carey–level pipes.
    — Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 6 July 2026
Definition of pipe
Noun
  • After belting the song, England captain Harry Kane barely managed to get through a post-match interview with his totally shattered voice.
    — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 6 July 2026
  • On March 30, 2026, a French court sentenced the Chinese captain in absentia to one year in prison and issued an arrest warrant after convicting him of failing to comply with orders to stop his ship.
    — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 6 July 2026
Definition of captain
Noun
  • The white floral print channels the actress’s effortless aesthetic, and the easy-to-style design can be paired with tank tops, T-shirts, or even worn as a strapless swimsuit cover-up for beach days and vacations.
    — Taylor Jean Stephan, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
  • How to watch America's Block Party from home Each block party event may host livestreams on their sites and social media channels.
    — Greta Cross, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Definition of channel

Browse Nearby Words

leaden
leader
leaders
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Cite this Entry

“Leader.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leader. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on leader

Nglish: Translation of leader for Spanish Speakers

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