Ringleader

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: ring=lead=er

CIDE DICTIONARY

Ringleader, n. 

•  The leader of a circle of dancers; hence, the leader of a number of persons acting together; the leader of a herd of animals.  [1913 Webster]

  "A primacy of order, such an one as the ringleader hath in a dance."  [1913 Webster]
•  Opprobriously, a leader of a body of men engaged in the violation of law or in an illegal enterprise, as rioters, mutineers, or the like.  [1913 Webster]

  "The ringleaders were apprehended, tried, fined, and imprisoned."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

Ringleader, n. a leading instigator in an illicit or illegal activity.

THESAURUS

Ringleader

Mahdi, agent provocateur, agitator, agitprop, bell cow, bell mare, bellwether, born leader, boss, cacique, catalyst, charismatic leader, choirmaster, choragus, conductor, coryphaeus, demagogue, duce, exciter, file leader, firebrand, fomenter, forerunner, fugleman, incendiary, inciter, inflamer, inspired leader, instigator, keynoter, leader, leader of men, man higher up, messiah, mischief-maker, pacemaker, pacesetter, policy maker, precentor, provocateur, provoker, rabble-rouser, rouser, sachem, seditionary, seditionist, standard-bearer, symphonic conductor, torchbearer, troublemaker, urger

ROGET THESAURUS

Ringleader

Director

N director, manager, governor, rector, comptroller, superintendent, supervisor, straw boss, intendant, overseer, overlooker, supercargo, husband, inspector, visitor, ranger, surveyor, aedile, moderator, monitor, taskmaster, master, leader, ringleader, demagogue, corypheus, conductor, fugleman, precentor, bellwether, agitator, caporal, choregus, collector, file leader, flugelman, linkboy, guiding star, adviser, guide, pilot, helmsman, steersman, steermate, wire-puller, driver, whip, Jehu, charioteer, coachman, carman, cabman, postilion, vetturino, muleteer, arriero, teamster, whipper in, head, head man, head center, boss, principal, president, speaker, chair, chairman, chairwoman, chairperson, captain, superior, mayor, vice president, prime minister, premier, vizier, grand vizier, eparch, officer, functionary, minister, official, red-tapist, bureaucrat, man in office, Jack in office, office bearer, person in authority, statesman, strategist, legislator, lawgiver, politician, statist, statemonger, Minos, Draco, arbiter, boss, political dictator, board, secretary, secretary of state, Reis Effendi, vicar, steward, factor, agent, bailiff, middleman, foreman, clerk of works, landreeve, factotum, major-domo, seneschal, housekeeper, shepherd, croupier, proctor, procurator, ex officio.

Disobedience

N disobedience, insubordination, contumacy, infraction, infringement, violation, noncompliance, nonobservance, revolt, rebellion, mutiny, outbreak, rising, uprising, insurrection, emeute, riot, tumult, strike, barring out, defiance, mutinousness, mutineering, sedition, treason, high treason, petty treason, misprision of treason, premunire, lese majeste, violation of law, defection, secession, insurgent, mutineer, rebel, revolter, revolutionary, rioter, traitor, quisling, carbonaro, sansculottes, red republican, bonnet rouge, communist, Fenian, frondeur, seceder, secessionist, runagate, renegade, brawler, anarchist, demagogue, Spartacus, Masaniello, Wat Tyler, Jack Cade, ringleader, disobedient, uncomplying, uncompliant, unsubmissive, unruly, ungovernable, breachy, insubordinate, impatient of control, incorrigible, restiff, restive, refractory, contumacious, recusant, recalcitrant, resisting, lawless, mutinous, seditions, insurgent, riotous, unobeyed, unbidden, seditiosissimus quisque ignavus, unthread the rude eye of rebellion.