take the lead

VERB

command

Synonyms

STRONGEST

appoint authorize call for direct require tell

STRONG

adjure ban bar beckon bid call charge check cite compel debar dictate enact enjoin exact forbid grant impose inflict inhibit instruct interdict oblige ordain order ordinate proclaim prohibit requisition restrain set subpoena summon task warn

WEAK

call on call the signals call upon force upon give directions give orders lay down the law mark out put foot down rule out send for take charge

Antonyms

STRONGEST

reject

STRONG

aid allow approve ask assist cancel conceal disallow free help hinder liberate permit prevent refuse stop veto

WEAK

contradict countermand follow oppose recall reverse revoke

VERB

pioneer

Synonyms

STRONG

begin colonize create develop discover establish explore found initiate instigate institute launch originate prepare spearhead start

WEAK

go out in front map out open up show the way trailblaze

Antonyms

STRONG

cease complete conclude destroy die end finish halt ignore neglect prevent ruin stop terminate

VERB

rank

Synonyms

STRONGEST

stand

STRONG

antecede belong outrank precede

WEAK

be classed be worth come first count among forerun go ahead of go before have the advantage

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.

"We got lucky," he said after a quarter-final that saw Norway take the lead, miss a great chance to make it 2-0, have a goal disallowed and also hit the bar.

From BBC • Jul. 12, 2026

Roblox is a social gaming platform with a young demographic, and it has decided to take the lead in estimating users’ ages, and then keeping age groups in their own silos.

From Barron's • Jun. 17, 2026

Berlin will no longer pursue building and ordering the aircraft after failing to resolve a spat between Airbus and Dassault over which should take the lead on its development, a senior German government official said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

And in Japan, Mercedes felt he was on track to take the lead regardless of the safety car, such was his pace on medium tyres once in clear air.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026

It felt strange to take the lead for the first time since they’d entered the jungle, but he did it nonetheless.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray

take the lead

Example Sentences

Related Words