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ringleader

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

noun

  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

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.

China called on Thursday for criminal associates of accused scam boss Chen Zhi to surrender voluntarily in return for lighter sentences, after their alleged ringleader was extradited from Cambodia.

From Barron's • Jan. 15, 2026

A court in Seoul heard closing arguments in Yoon's trial, in which he was accused of being the "ringleader of an insurrection".

From BBC • Jan. 13, 2026

Teddy, the ringleader, is sure he can prove it.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 23, 2025

A person wearing a chicken suit and stylized American-flag cape appeared to be the ringleader.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 9, 2025

Now the ringleader is pinned facedown in the dugout dirt.

From "Adrift" by Paul Griffin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.