lead

I

(New American Roget's College Thesaurus)

v. t. conduct, direct; precede; open, start; bring; spend, pass. See authority, direction, beginning, precedence.

II

(Roget's IV) modif.

Syn. leading, head, foremost; see best 1 , first 1 , principal .

n.

1. [The position at the front]

Syn. head, advance, first place, contact, point, edge, fore part, van, advanced guard, façade, front rank, first line, line of battle, scout, outpost, scouting party, patrol, sniper scouts, advance position, cutting edge, forerunner; see also front 2 , vanguard .

Ant. end*, rear, last place.

2. [Leadership]

Syn. direction, guidance, headship; see administration 1 , leadership 1 , 2 .

3. [A clue]

Syn. evidence, trace, hint; see proof 1 , sign 1 .

4. [A leading performer]

Syn. diva, prima donna, star; see actor 1 , actress .

5. [A leading role]

Syn. principal part, important role, chief character, heavy*, fat lines*, lead spot*, standout role*, top bracket*, top spot*; see also role .

n.

Syn. metallic lead, galena, blue lead; see element 2 , metal .

v.

1. [To conduct]

Syn. guide, head, precede, steer, pilot, attend, direct, channel, orient, show the way, point, point the way, show in, show to, show around, convoy, point out, squire, escort, chaperone, accompany, protect, guard, safeguard, watch over, convey, go along with, drive, shepherd, feel out the path, discover the way, find a way through, be responsible for; see also manage 1 .

Ant. follow*, be conveyed, be piloted.

2. [To exercise leadership]

Syn. direct, manage, supervise; see command 2 , manage 1 .

3. [To influence]

Syn. prevail on, affect, spur (on); see influence , motivate .

4. [To play a first card]

Syn. start, commence, play first, take the initiative, make the start; see also begin 1 .

5. [To extend]

Syn. traverse, pass along, span; see reach 1 .

III

(Roget's 3 Superthesaurus)

I

n.

1. first place edge, top spot, vanguard, jump, head, spearhead, cutting edge.

2. clue tip, hint, indication, sign.

ANT.: 1. rear, tail

II

v.

1. guide direct, show the way, conduct, usher, shepherd, escort.

2. head command, direct, govern, supervise, run, *take the helm, rule, dominate, take charge.

3. influence persuade, incline, guide, direct, affect, *sell on, prevail upon, prompt, cause.

4. precede go before.

5. excel surpass, outdo, outshine, outperform, head the pack, rank first, stand head and shoulders above.

IV

(Roget's Thesaurus II) I verb 1. To show the way to: conduct, direct, escort, guide, pilot, route, shepherd, show, steer, usher. See SHOW. 2. To proceed on a certain course or for a certain distance: carry, extend, go, reach, run, stretch. See REACH. 3. To have authoritative charge of: captain, command. See PRECEDE. 4. To go through (life) in a certain way: live1, pass, pursue. See BE. 5. To begin (something) with preliminary or prefatory material: introduce, precede, preface, usher in. See START, WORDS. II noun 1. Something or someone that shows the way: conductor, director, escort, guide, leader, pilot, shepherd, usher. See SHOW. 2. A piece of information useful in a search: clue, scent. See SHOW. 3. An act or instance of guiding: direction, guidance, leadership, management. See AFFECT. 4. The capacity to lead others: command, leadership. See PRECEDE. 5. The main performer in a theatrical production: principal, protagonist, star. See PERFORMING ARTS. 6. A prominent article in a periodical: feature. Chiefly British: leader. See WORDS.