ringleader

[ring-lee-der]

See more synonyms for ringleader on Thesaurus.com

noun

a person who leads others, especially in opposition to authority, law, etc.: a ringleader of revolutionary activities.

Origin of ringleader

First recorded in 1495–1505; ring¹ + leader

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for ringleader

Contemporary Examples

Neither Ted Cruz—the ringleader of this entire effort—nor his allies have much to say.
Finally! The Republican Fever Is Broken
Jamelle Bouie
October 16, 2013
Fingered by Prugo as the ringleader, Lee went to high school with Prugo at Indian Hills where she was voted “Best Dressed.”
The Real Bling Ring: Where Are They Now?
Tricia Romano
May 21, 2013
To watch Marcus Mumford, the ringleader of the band, perform live is a sight to behold.
Mumford & Sons Rock Brooklyn’s Barclays Center
Marlow Stern
February 7, 2013
I was very lucky that their ringleader lost his balance as he rammed his bicycle into my abdomen for the second time.
To the Woman Warrior I Didn't Know
Monsoon Bissell
January 5, 2013
Each shoot must have been an insane photographic circus, with Avedon as the ruthless (and charming) ringleader.
A Photographer's Circus
Blake Gopnik
May 16, 2012

Historical Examples

He was particularly set against me, as I had been ringleader in the cobbing.
Ned Myers
James Fenimore Cooper
I will not deny that I was a ringleader in this affair, though I know I had no other motive than escape.
Ned Myers
James Fenimore Cooper
Vallington, as the ringleader in this conspiracy, I call upon you for an answer.
Breaking Away
Oliver Optic
At that speech, the red-faced man, who seemed to be the ringleader, eyed me narrowly.
Lords of the North
A. C. Laut
It was at Boston, the ringleader in rebellion, that the issue was to be tried.
Tea Leaves
Various

British Dictionary definitions for ringleader

ringleader

noun

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

Word Origin and History for ringleader

n.

c.1500, from Middle English phrase to lead the ring (mid-14c.), probably from a medieval metaphor from dancing. See ring (n.1) + lead (v.1).

ringleader

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}ringleader

Examples from the Web for ringleader

Contemporary Examples

Neither Ted Cruz—the ringleader of this entire effort—nor his allies have much to say.

Fingered by Prugo as the ringleader, Lee went to high school with Prugo at Indian Hills where she was voted “Best Dressed.”

To watch Marcus Mumford, the ringleader of the band, perform live is a sight to behold.

I was very lucky that their ringleader lost his balance as he rammed his bicycle into my abdomen for the second time.

Each shoot must have been an insane photographic circus, with Avedon as the ruthless (and charming) ringleader.

Historical Examples

He was particularly set against me, as I had been ringleader in the cobbing.

I will not deny that I was a ringleader in this affair, though I know I had no other motive than escape.

Vallington, as the ringleader in this conspiracy, I call upon you for an answer.

At that speech, the red-faced man, who seemed to be the ringleader, eyed me narrowly.

It was at Boston, the ringleader in rebellion, that the issue was to be tried.

ringleader

Word Origin and History for ringleader

n.

Origin of ringleader