take the lead

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command v.
pioneer v.
rank v.

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.

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take the lead

The attitude that you should have as a solo artist is very clear, you have to take the lead on stage until the very end.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026

Shelly Easton, from Avon Wildlife Trust, said they "can't wait to begin and let nature take the lead"

From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026

Some medical researchers let AI models take the lead alongside human lab workers to gather information, stress-test hypotheses, interpret data and spit out plans.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026

State health agencies take the lead in interviewing patients, and those agencies are disparately funded.

From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2026

But that only gave other Europeans the opportunity to take the lead in seeking sugar fortunes.

From "Sugar Changed the World: A Story of Magic, Spice, Slavery, Freedom, and Science" by Marc Aronson

take the lead

Example Sentences

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