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.
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Recent Examples of leadoff
Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
Busch, 27, who led off the NL Division Series with a home run Saturday, and also homered last week against San Diego, played for $780,500 this season.
—Charley Walters, Twin Cities, 5 Oct. 2025
The Defender brand is underpinned by Land Rover—a mark of trust built on 75 years of expertise in technology and world-leading off-road capability.
—Outside Online, 3 Oct. 2025
Refsnyder, whose only previous playoff experience was a single game with the ‘15 Yankees, led off with a first-pitch groundout, and Story struck out swinging on pitches nowhere near the zone.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leadoff
Verb
The song meant enough to them to lead off the album, with its lyrics front and center on the cover.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
Busch, 27, who led off the NL Division Series with a home run Saturday, and also homered last week against San Diego, played for $780,500 this season.
—Charley Walters, Twin Cities, 5 Oct. 2025
The Defender brand is underpinned by Land Rover—a mark of trust built on 75 years of expertise in technology and world-leading off-road capability.
—Outside Online, 3 Oct. 2025
Refsnyder, whose only previous playoff experience was a single game with the ‘15 Yankees, led off with a first-pitch groundout, and Story struck out swinging on pitches nowhere near the zone.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leadoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leadoff
Adjective
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There to see Lajo off, Hamida meets her brother for the first time since her own abduction.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Oct. 2025
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The appearance marked the first time Caitlyn has appeared on the Hulu reality series, which premiered in 2022 after Keeping Up with the Kardashians concluded.—
Julia Moore,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Poetry is a feeling worth getting down, a process that begins with attending and listening.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
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The offseason begins in earnest now that the Los Angeles Dodgers defended their title by beating the Toronto Blue Jays in Saturday night’s epic Game 7.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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His initial coping mechanism was to throw his water bottle in frustration.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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The items collect dust, and the space is rarely revisited after the initial setup until the holidays come around.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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As one of Stephen King‘s scariest pieces of IP gets the HBO Max series treatment, the bloodbath has commenced with the first episode.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
29 Oct. 2025
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If the case is not dismissed, a trial is set to commence early next year.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The inaugural Wonder Project | Stand Together Fellowship was awarded to Christopher Holt for his script 27 Cows.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
25 Oct. 2025
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On this day in 1985, the Kings played their first game in Sacramento, opening their inaugural season in California’s capitol city with a 108-104 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers before a sellout crowd of 10,333 at Arco Arena.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Pandemic deals gave way to record rents, and evictions started up again.—
Clio Chang,
Curbed,
5 Nov. 2025
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Both Roseman and Fangio have been fairly resistant to moving Cooper DeJean, their starting nickel, to outside cornerback, although the CB2 spot was a question mark during the offseason and has at times been a liability during the 2025 season.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The 261-foot superyacht just left Damen Yachting’s Vlissingen facility in the Netherlands to embark on her maiden voyage, according to a press release shared on Wednesday.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
30 Oct. 2025
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Star Seeker’s maiden season includes departures through Central America, Alaska, and Japan.—
Stacey Zable,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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During which Helm suffered loneliness, inconsequence and ignorance – an original and terrible fugue state.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
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Authorities did not release the owner’s identity or the monkeys’ original destination, citing confidentiality agreements.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Leadoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leadoff. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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