Adjective in the lead has 1 sense
- ahead, in the lead, leading - having the leading position or higher score in a contest; "he is ahead by a pawn"; "the leading team in the pennant race"
Antonym: down (indirect, via up)
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Adverbial in the lead has 1 sense
- ahead, out front, in the lead - leading or ahead in a competition; "the horse was three lengths ahead going into the home stretch"; "ahead by two pawns"; "our candidate is in the lead in the polls"; "way out front in the race"; "the advertising campaign put them out front in sales"
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