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Synonyms

ringleader

American  
[ring-lee-der] / ˈrɪŋˌli dər /

noun

  • ringleaders
    plural
  1. a person who leads others, especially in opposition to authority, law, etc..

    a ringleader of revolutionary activities.


ringleader British  
/ ˈrɪŋˌliːdə /

noun

  1. a person who leads others in any kind of unlawful or mischievous activity

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of ringleader

First recorded in 1495–1505; ring 1 + leader

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.

See Examples For:

Aliyu's report of the incident to the police prompted what the commissioner described as an "intelligence-driven operation" that led to the arrest of the alleged ringleader and subsequently the other suspects.

From BBC Jul. 21, 2026

There is also something less expected: tears, especially from ringleader Johnny Knoxville.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 29, 2026

The ringleader ended up pleading guilty and being sentenced to more than 10 years in prison; the other three received sentences ranging from 18 months to five years.

From Salon Jun. 2, 2026

In “The Hunting Wives,” Brittany Snow stars as Sophie O’Neil, an ex-Bostonian housewife who gets pulled into the world of Malin Akerman’s socialite ringleader Margo Banks.

From Los Angeles Times Jan. 21, 2026

I’m not trying to be a ringleader or anything, but if I hadn’t started this whole thing, we wouldn’t be in this boat.

From "Dumplin'" by Julie Murphy

Chhay Sinarith, the senior minister, has said authorities have raided more than 250 scam centers and launched legal cases against some 750 alleged ringleaders.

From The Wall Street Journal Apr. 20, 2026

Two 45-year-old Iraqi Kurds identified as the ringleaders of the smuggling network received the heaviest terms -- 12 and 15 years -- over the deaths of seven Afghans trying to reach the English coast.

From Barron's Nov. 18, 2025

Reuss and another suspect, a former paratrooper, are alleged to have been the group’s ringleaders.

From Seattle Times May 20, 2024

The two SFJ ringleaders were also formally labeled as “terrorists” by India in 2020, with the government requesting that Interpol issue a “red notice” for Pannun’s arrest; the international policing body declined to do so.

From Slate Nov. 29, 2023

They demanded the names of the adult ringleaders.

From "Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

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