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
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Recent Examples of leadoff
Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 3 June 2026
The Nationals got their first hit when Drew Millas singled to right leading off the sixth and Jacob Young followed with another single to right.
—Miami Herald, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for leadoff
Adjective
Those four all ranked among the top 40 in baseball in non-leadoff plate appearances with the bases empty last season.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
Contreras struck out to lead off the bottom of the ninth twice.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 3 June 2026
The Nationals got their first hit when Drew Millas singled to right leading off the sixth and Jacob Young followed with another single to right.
—Miami Herald, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for leadoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leadoff
Adjective
-
After a night that featured 38 foul calls and a gritty Connecticut team determined to make a statement in Atlanta, the Dream clinched a 91-74 win over the Sun in a back-and-forth matchup that started rough but ended on a high note in their first Commissioner’s Cup game.—
Micahya Costen,
AJC.com,
3 June 2026
-
Haaland could make history as the first female Native American governor if she’s elected.—
Erin Cox,
Washington Post,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
As the journey progresses, a male driver and his female companion (neither pictured on-screen) begin to discuss the Winkie.—
Jonathan Odden,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
-
Herein, begins the first of many game drives.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
Participants underwent an initial baseline assessment and were assigned individualized vagus nerve stimulation protocols designed by Pulsetto’s clinical team.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2026
-
Trump’s initial director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, resigned last month, citing her husband’s recent cancer diagnosis.—
Josh Boak,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Work will commence in the next 60 days and should be complete by the end of June 2027.—
Shelley Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
3 June 2026
-
But the City Council will need to sign off on those plans before building can commence, including how much of the sales tax revenue from the stadium will go toward paying off the city’s bond debt.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
The 92-year old performer will be honored Saturday in Sherrill with the inaugural marker on the new Arkansas River Delta Blues Trail.—
Sean Clancy,
Arkansas Online,
4 June 2026
-
Star photojournalist Emily Curiel captured the inaugural concert and crowds taking in the new venue.—
Emily Curiel
June 4,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
The four men still trapped have started to show health problems, including skin, stomach and intestinal issues.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
Aranda followed with his 10th homer, but the Rays (35-19) were just getting started.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
The country's newest aircraft carrier undertook an eight-month maiden voyage in January 2024, swiftly followed by a nearly 11-month deployment.—
Steve Walsh,
NPR,
4 June 2026
-
East Laurens’ maiden championship, won in girls basketball, was among the more extraordinary of 180 state titles contested in 2025-26.—
Todd Holcomb,
AJC.com,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
It's been 13 years since that sequel, which shed nearly every major player from the original franchise's cast and crew and added fresh blood like Ashley Tisdale and Lindsay Lohan.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 June 2026
-
There are other interesting twists to the original story that highlight different parts of the themes of crime, punishment, family and responsibility.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leadoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leadoff. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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