ringleader
noun
ring·lead·er ˈriŋ-ˌlē-dər 
: a leader of a ring of individuals engaged especially in improper or unlawful activities
Example Sentences
the ringleader of a gang of criminals
Recent Examples on the Web In 2010, Nelson was a US Senator from Florida and ringleader of the space authorization bill alongside US Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, of Texas. 
Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 3 Sep. 2022 More arrests are expected as police look for the ringleader, police said. Bradford Betz, Fox News, 21 July 2022 Grace becomes the group’s ringleader and lead adventurer, seeking the next grand scheme and pushing Nora, Wesley and Rand beyond their comfort zones until their fantasies can't outrun reality. Angie Orellana Hernandez, USA TODAY, 11 July 2022 The investigation into illicit support of the anti-Communist rebels in Nicaragua by the administration of President Ronald Reagan turned the White House ringleader of the operation, Lt. Col. Oliver L. North, into a right-wing celebrity. Stephen Engelberg, ProPublica, 15 June 2022 The ringleader of The Umbrella Academy, Reginald looks pretty accurate in his Comic to Netflix adaptation. Evan Romano, Men's Health, 8 June 2022 Liss, the ringleader of the MFMD, has a background in politics. Taylor Lorenz, Washington Post, 13 May 2022 The ringleader, Alvin Banks, was sentenced to four years in prison— two in state prison and two in federal lockup— for organizing and hosting the fights at his home, which drew spectators from six states. Adam Ferrise, cleveland, 12 July 2022 Thiago was again the ringleader in the first leg, completing 99 of his 103 passes in a display of utter dominance by the English club. Tim Bielik, cleveland, 3 May 2022 See More
Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 3 Sep. 2022 More arrests are expected as police look for the ringleader, police said. Bradford Betz, Fox News, 21 July 2022 Grace becomes the group’s ringleader and lead adventurer, seeking the next grand scheme and pushing Nora, Wesley and Rand beyond their comfort zones until their fantasies can't outrun reality. Angie Orellana Hernandez, USA TODAY, 11 July 2022 The investigation into illicit support of the anti-Communist rebels in Nicaragua by the administration of President Ronald Reagan turned the White House ringleader of the operation, Lt. Col. Oliver L. North, into a right-wing celebrity. Stephen Engelberg, ProPublica, 15 June 2022 The ringleader of The Umbrella Academy, Reginald looks pretty accurate in his Comic to Netflix adaptation. Evan Romano, Men's Health, 8 June 2022 Liss, the ringleader of the MFMD, has a background in politics. Taylor Lorenz, Washington Post, 13 May 2022 The ringleader, Alvin Banks, was sentenced to four years in prison— two in state prison and two in federal lockup— for organizing and hosting the fights at his home, which drew spectators from six states. Adam Ferrise, cleveland, 12 July 2022 Thiago was again the ringleader in the first leg, completing 99 of his 103 passes in a display of utter dominance by the English club. Tim Bielik, cleveland, 3 May 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
circa 1503, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
ringleader
noun
ring·lead·er ˈriŋ-ˌlē-dər
: a leader especially of a group of people who cause trouble