: to make a gradual or indirect approach to a topic
Examples of lead-up in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
Bieber has done more than any of those three did in the lead-up to free agency, pitching solidly down the stretch for the pennant-winning Blue Jays.—Patrick McAvoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025 Anyone would've thought that Jon Stewart's lead-up on Monday's The Daily Show was headed toward an appearance by former correspondent John Oliver.—Debbie Day, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
Parente, a former federal prosecutor, has often described the incident leading up to the shooting as nothing more than a minor car accident.—Omar Jimenez, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025 The events take place over a five-day period leading up to Halloween, 1982.—Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lead-up
Share