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.
By late Monday, firefighters were still concerned the heat released by the chemical could still lead to a “less forceful explosion,” Huang said.
From Los Angeles Times • May 25, 2026
The body of a dead Ebola victim is highly infectious and can lead to the virus spreading further when prepared for burial.
From BBC • May 25, 2026
He had been in the lead when the race entered its final 10 laps, more than half a second ahead of Pato O’Ward—his rival on track, and the best man at his wedding.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026
The Tau Scaling Law "underscores the company's ambition to lead rather than follow in the global chip race", said George Chen, Partner and Chair of Digital Practice at The Asia Group.
From Barron's • May 25, 2026
“That is the lead singer of Not Your Wild West Show. They’re not only rez famous, but almost actually famous!”
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Vocabulary lists containing lead
Black and Gray
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Journalism
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Theater - Introductory
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