as in beginning
to take the first step in (a process or course of action)
plans to lead off the news conference with a prepared statement
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Recent Examples of leading off
Mopar, Stellantis' parts and service division, is leading off its holiday gift ideas guide with something to help the Wrangler lover in your life show off a little holiday spirit in the form of the Jeep Wrangler Ugly Sweater trail armor.
—
Eric D. Lawrence, USA Today, 14 Dec. 2025
Mopar, Stellantis' parts and service division, is leading off its holiday gift ideas guide with something to help the Wrangler lover in your life show off a little holiday spirit in the form of the Jeep Wrangler Ugly Sweater trail armor.
—Eric D. Lawrence, Freep.com, 12 Dec. 2025
Kiké Hernández singled leading off against Scherzer and scored on Ohtani’s double to left-center off reliever Mason Fluharty.
—Beth Harris, Denver Post, 28 Oct. 2025
Freddie Freeman homered leading off the bottom of the 18th inning, Shohei Ohtani went deep twice in another record-setting performance and the Dodgers outlasted the Toronto Blue Jays, 6-5, in Game 3 on Monday night to win a World Series classic.
—Oc Register, 27 Oct. 2025
McMahon’s bat and glove on display McMahon’s first career postseason home run came in a huge spot, leading off the third inning to tie the score at 1.
—The Athletic Mlb Staff, New York Times, 9 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
No assistance was needed for Devers to reach the water leading off the third inning against Sonny Gray.
—Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2025
The Red Sox will load up with right-handed batters against the A’s southpaw, with Romy Gonzalez leading off, Alex Bregman batting second, Trevor Story third, Rob Refsnyder fourth, Carlos Narvaez fifth and Nate Eaton sixth.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 16 Sep. 2025
Eric D. Lawrence, USA Today, 14 Dec. 2025
Mopar, Stellantis' parts and service division, is leading off its holiday gift ideas guide with something to help the Wrangler lover in your life show off a little holiday spirit in the form of the Jeep Wrangler Ugly Sweater trail armor.
—Eric D. Lawrence, Freep.com, 12 Dec. 2025
Kiké Hernández singled leading off against Scherzer and scored on Ohtani’s double to left-center off reliever Mason Fluharty.
—Beth Harris, Denver Post, 28 Oct. 2025
Freddie Freeman homered leading off the bottom of the 18th inning, Shohei Ohtani went deep twice in another record-setting performance and the Dodgers outlasted the Toronto Blue Jays, 6-5, in Game 3 on Monday night to win a World Series classic.
—Oc Register, 27 Oct. 2025
McMahon’s bat and glove on display McMahon’s first career postseason home run came in a huge spot, leading off the third inning to tie the score at 1.
—The Athletic Mlb Staff, New York Times, 9 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
No assistance was needed for Devers to reach the water leading off the third inning against Sonny Gray.
—Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2025
The Red Sox will load up with right-handed batters against the A’s southpaw, with Romy Gonzalez leading off, Alex Bregman batting second, Trevor Story third, Rob Refsnyder fourth, Carlos Narvaez fifth and Nate Eaton sixth.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leading off
Verb
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Paramount+ Essential subscribers will be able to stream the show beginning Monday.—
Jordan Freiman,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
-
After beginning as an unpaid intern with the Cleveland Cavaliers and landing a position as an assistant with Cleveland’s G League affiliate in Canton, Ohio, Skeeter’s career path also took him through Atlanta just like Lee.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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None of the arrests of the four individual plaintiffs in this case, on the other hand, were made in immediate anticipation of commencing removal proceedings, much less executing a final order of removal.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
2 Dec. 2025
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Rollins humorously acknowledged his need to change his current diet before commencing the intensive physical preparations for his comeback.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Nov. 2025
Verb
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So commences a night of harrowing encounters and trauma both physical and mental, starting with Ron and Mike’s trip to meet Oliver at a bar after one of his shows.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Place water and rum in a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave on HIGH until starting to bubble, about 1 minute.—
Amanda Holstein,
Southern Living,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Additional video footage shows that on July 7, after getting off her coach, Ruff went to a white city car — later identified as Reece's vehicle — and remained in the back seat for 20 minutes.—
Nushrat Rahman,
Freep.com,
6 Jan. 2026
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Anyone getting off at the Lake Street CTA Red Line subway stop on Sunday might have noticed some new signage near the station's stairways to street level.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Per his release, the rapper must follow strict guidelines for the next five years, such as no alcohol, drug testing, and federal supervision when opening bank accounts.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
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But a landmark land claims settlement in 1980 exempted Maine from federal Indian gaming laws, which has prevented the tribes from opening casinos on their lands.—
Center Square,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leading off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leading%20off. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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