First
First adjective - Coming before all others in importance.
Usage example: there are a number of reasons we can't go, but the first is that we don't have the money
Leading is a synonym for first in foremost topic. In some cases you can use "Leading" instead the word "First" as an adjective or an adverb, when it comes to topics like characteristic, position, important, chief. popular alternative
Nearby Word: firstly
Leading
Leading adjective - Coming before all others in importance.
Usage example: they are the leading suppliers of processed meat in the country
First is a synonym for leading in chief topic. You can use "First" instead the word "Leading" as an adjective or an adverb, if it concerns topics such as position, top, principal, important. popular alternative
Mutual synonyms
Cite this Source
Leading and First. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 15, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/first/leading
First & Leading. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/first/leading>.
Leading or First. 2016. Accessed August 15, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/first/leading.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "first" and "leading" have occurred on timeline