as in first
coming before all others in time or order
the leadoff batter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to begin
to take the first step in (a process or course of action)
plans to lead off the news conference with a prepared statement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of leadoff
Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 17 Mar. 2026
The Ferrari drivers executed a strong start, with Hamilton sneaking into the lead off of the line as the Mercedes duo again struggled to get away fast and stay ahead.
—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Dodgers left fielder Kyle Tucker hit his first home run of spring training to lead off the sixth inning of Friday’s 10-7 win over the Seattle Mariners in Peoria, Ariz.
—Jack Vita, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2026
Caleb Durbin led off the inning with a double but was thrown out on Mayer’s hit, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa (2 for 4) singled to put two men on again for Narvaez.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for leadoff
Verb
The First Three Hosts Fey leads off on March 21.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 17 Mar. 2026
The Ferrari drivers executed a strong start, with Hamilton sneaking into the lead off of the line as the Mercedes duo again struggled to get away fast and stay ahead.
—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Dodgers left fielder Kyle Tucker hit his first home run of spring training to lead off the sixth inning of Friday’s 10-7 win over the Seattle Mariners in Peoria, Ariz.
—Jack Vita, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2026
Caleb Durbin led off the inning with a double but was thrown out on Mayer’s hit, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa (2 for 4) singled to put two men on again for Narvaez.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for leadoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leadoff
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, for the GOP nomination for secretary of state, Harris and Adamczyk were vying for the right to compete against Giannoulias, a first-term incumbent, in November’s general election.—
Jonathan Bullington,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
-
This Revive formula lived up to its name, adding more shine, bounce, and control after the very first use.—
Catharine Malzahn,
Glamour,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As tensions began to thaw in 2015, Cubans were able to raise their flag at the embassy for the first time since 1961.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
24 Mar. 2026
-
New crackdowns have already begun, including executions, last week, of protesters arrested in January.—
Jason Rezaian,
New Yorker,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Some of the future document cuts after the initial website launch will include public city datasets, which staff said could be removed if they aren’t required to be posted online and aren’t frequently accessed.—
Chaya Tong,
Austin American Statesman,
19 Mar. 2026
-
People may also develop a rash that usually starts on the face several days after the initial symptoms develop.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
To be considered for a grant, projects must have 90% of production finished and be in, or about to commence, the post-production phase.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Now, writers are poised to commence another round of bargaining with the major studios on a new three-year film and TV contract.—
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In 2025, the venue hosted King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard’s inaugural Field of Vision festival and Pretty Lights’ first Yahn Dawn festival.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
-
This rule includes the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup, which had its inaugural run in January, and the upcoming women’s World Cup in Brazil next summer.—
Doha Madani,
NBC news,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sign up here to receive an email right as the chat is about to start.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The fleet will start replacing the Navy’s aging Ohio-class submarines by the 2030s and will remain operational till 2084.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In November 2022, as NASA prepared for its maiden Artemis launch, agents from its Office of Protective Services made an unsettling discovery whose details have never been previously revealed.—
Adam Ciralsky,
Vanity Fair,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Odisea departed Germany on Friday, March 13, for her maiden voyage.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
El Concilio — the group that led the effort to rename First Street for Cesar Chavez in 1993 — voted to pursue reversing that change, asking City Council to restore the street’s original name.—
Dante Motley,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
-
The reality television show that made the family a household name has been off the air for over a decade, but the family managed to foray the cancellation of the original series into TLC spin-offs, brand deals, and social media fame.—
Tiana Lowe Doescher,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leadoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leadoff. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
