Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for leading question

leading question

[ lee-ding ]

noun

  1. a question so worded as to suggest the proper or desired answer.


leading question

/ ˈliːdɪŋ /

noun

  1. a question phrased in a manner that tends to suggest the desired answer, such as What do you think of the horrible effects of pollution?


leading question

  1. An unfair question that is designed to guide the respondent: “You were drunk the night of the accident, weren't you, Mr. Norris?”


Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of leading question1

First recorded in 1815–25

Discover More

Idioms and Phrases

A question worded so as to elicit particular information or a particular answer, as in When are you selling the business? This example assumes that the person is going to sell the business, an action that may not have been established or revealed. This expression originated with a specific meaning in law, that is, “a question that guides a witness toward a desired answer.” In court, this practice is called leading a witness and is forbidden. [Mid-1800s]

Discover More

Example Sentences

I say “discuss” and “talk about,” but that really means “ask leading questions about, judiciously, when she’s receptive, lest she flee.”

Every 10 years, the National Research Council’s decadal survey raises leading questions posed in space exploration and determines what kinds of missions could answer them.

Bereft of leading questions or heavy-handed suggestions, The Truffle Hunters allows introspection and asks the viewer to come up with their own conclusions.

From Eater

A carefully posed, leading question is one way to help someone that leaves the reins in the right person’s hands.

The National Right to Life Committee, for example, asks the leading question “Is Abortion Safe?”

What induced you to put such a leading question to the woman, assuming the boy was at home and in bed?

She had not intended to propound this leading question so quickly, but it came out as a natural climax to the situation.

The constitutional amendment, the state of the country, and the condition of commerce makes this the leading question of the day.

The chief merit of the leading question lies in the fact that it paves the way for the answer.

The challenging question and the leading question are closely enough allied that we may well discuss them together.

Advertisement

Word of the Day

flabbergast

[flab-er-gast ]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

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.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


leading noteleading rating