spearheading

verb

present participle of spearhead
as in leading
to serve as leader of unofficially at least, Martin Luther King spearheaded the civil rights movement

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 spearheading In 2023, amidst the collapse of Credit Suisse, Ermotti returned to lead UBS, spearheading the historic emergency acquisition of Credit Suisse to safeguard Swiss financial stability. — CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026 Just as notably, One Roof Sports — the group spearheading the Sonics' return — recently landed a billionaire backer in Melinda French Gates. — Matt Calkins Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 Earric Lee, a postdoctoral researcher at the Montreal Heart Institute who's spearheading the initiative, says scientists first need to agree on standards. — Will Stone, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026 Line of Duty showrunner Jed Mercurio is spearheading a pitch from Hat Trick Mercurio, while STV Studios, the production group behind Blue Lights and Criminal Record, has made an audacious bid to move the show to Scotland for Season 17. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026 Xavier Becerra, the Democratic nominee for California governor, is spearheading the opposition campaign to Proposition 39 in coordination with the American Civil Liberties Union and the California Donor Table. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 7 Oct. 2026 Its tasks included spearheading a biannual report in partnership with Florida International University examining data on education, economic and health factors affecting Broward residents. — Zoey Thomas, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026 This unusual telescope is the brainchild of Francis Halzen, recipient of the 2026 Nobel Prize in physics for his work spearheading this project and discovering high-energy neutrinos of astrophysical origin. — Tyce Deyoung, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2026 The deal involves Regeneron taking the lead on research and development, with Sanofi spearheading commercial efforts. — Andrew Joseph, STAT, 1 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spearheading
  1. leading
  2. commanding
Verb
  • By halftime, the fourth-year pro who entered the game leading the NFL in receptions and yards stood at six catches, 129 yards and a touchdown.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Booker scored 19 points in the first half, leading the Suns to a 57-54 halftime lead.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of leading
Verb
  • The Eagles then took a commanding 21-0 lead with an accurate 59-yard TD strike from Wilson to four-star wide receiver Julian Caldwell, a Texas Tech commit.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Mikhail Shaidorov fell in his biggest competition since winning Olympic figure skating gold, leaving Adam Siao Him Fa with a commanding lead at the Grand Prix de France on Saturday.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of commanding

Browse Nearby Words

spearheaded
spearheading
spearheads
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Cite this Entry

“Spearheading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spearheading. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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