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Ringleader vs Overlord - What's the difference?

ringleader | overlord | Related terms |

As nouns the difference between ringleader and overlord

is that ringleader is a leader of a group of people, especially an unofficial group while overlord is a ruler of other rulers.

ringleader

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • a leader of a group of people, especially an unofficial group
  • a person who starts and leads a disturbance (such as a riot), a conspiracy, or a criminal gang
  • * The police arrested the ringleaders of the smuggling operation.
  • * (1590): William Shakespeare, King Henry VI, Part 2 : A sort of naughty persons, lewdly bent, / Under the countenance and confederacy / Of Lady Eleanor, the protector's wife, / The ringleader and head of all this rout, / Have practis'd dangerously against your state...

    • overlord

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A ruler of other rulers.
    • The various tribal chieftains met each spring to elect an overlord that would lead them in time of war.
  • Anyone with overarching power or authority in a given domain.
    • The crusty old professor was overlord of the history department, and few dared to cross his will.
  • *

    • Usage notes

    * The second sense frequently carries negative connotations; calling one an overlord can imply tyranny or authoritarianism.

    Derived terms

    * overlordship