Definitions

leadership

[lee-der-ship] / ˈli dərˌʃɪp /

NOUN

act or instance of leading

Synonyms

STRONGEST

captaincy captainship care coaching direction encouragement guardianship guidance initiative lead navigation overseeing pilotage piloting shepherding steering stewardship superintendence superintendency supervision tutelage

STRONG

administration directorship generalship governance government influence management running sway

WEAK

authority command control domination dominion power reign rule

Antonyms

STRONGEST

subordination

STRONG

deference obedience submission subservience

WEAK

impotence

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.

Leadership instability was a "major contributing factor" affecting the quality and safety of maternity services, the review found.

From BBC • Jun. 24, 2026

Leadership uncertainty is "enormously disruptive" and presents a "big challenge" for the government, a former cabinet secretary has said.

From BBC • Jun. 21, 2026

Megan Graham covers the marketing and advertising industry for the WSJ Leadership Institute's CMO Today.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 16, 2026

So it was a little surprising that one of the speakers at TPUSA’s Women’s Leadership Summit in San Antonio, Texas, Alex Clark, spoke about how Kirk made her feel bad about herself.

From Salon • Jun. 12, 2026

I have the honor of serving as president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, an organization operating in every Southern state, with headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.

From "While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age during the Civil Rights Movement" by Carolyn Maull McKinstry

Vocabulary lists containing leadership

"Speaking Up"

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"Principles of Business," Vocabulary from Chapter 7

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"Speeches on the Little Rock Nine"

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