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
García hit his fifth home run leading off the fourth — a line-drive shot to right field on a 3-0 pitch from Griffin Canning (0-4) to give the Nationals the lead.
—
ABC News, 31 May 2026
Aranda and Richie Palacios drew consecutive walks leading off the third inning and Junior Camerino followed with a single to load the bases.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
The only interruption was a walk to Rodolfo Durán leading off the third inning.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 2026
Devers homered for the fourth time this season, connecting against Carmen Mlodzinski (2-3) leading off the bottom half to tie it.
—CBS News, 9 May 2026
Schmitt’s homer, his third of the year, came two batters after Matt Chapman had doubled leading off the sixth.
—Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
Then struck out again leading off the top of the fifth inning.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2026
Murakami homered again on Saturday, this time leading off the seventh inning.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Shortstop Gunnar Henderson homered for Baltimore in the third inning, his sixth of the season, and Jeremiah Jackson hit a solo shot off reliever Caleb Killian leading off the seventh.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2026
ABC News, 31 May 2026
Aranda and Richie Palacios drew consecutive walks leading off the third inning and Junior Camerino followed with a single to load the bases.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
The only interruption was a walk to Rodolfo Durán leading off the third inning.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 2026
Devers homered for the fourth time this season, connecting against Carmen Mlodzinski (2-3) leading off the bottom half to tie it.
—CBS News, 9 May 2026
Schmitt’s homer, his third of the year, came two batters after Matt Chapman had doubled leading off the sixth.
—Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
Then struck out again leading off the top of the fifth inning.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2026
Murakami homered again on Saturday, this time leading off the seventh inning.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Shortstop Gunnar Henderson homered for Baltimore in the third inning, his sixth of the season, and Jeremiah Jackson hit a solo shot off reliever Caleb Killian leading off the seventh.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leading off
Verb
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Korda’s final putt of the day curled in the right side of the cup to solidify her second consecutive round of 67 at Riviera after beginning the championship with a frustrating 2-over 73.—
Gabby Herzig,
New York Times,
7 June 2026
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Student loans, often essential, often expensive and not always forgiven, are changing once again, with new federal rules set to take effect beginning July 1 and impact students starting in fall 2026.—
Kennedy Cook,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
Verb
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The 79th annual Cannes Film Festival is around the corner, commencing May 13 with the opening ceremony at the Palais des Festivals in the south of France.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
-
This is the phase of the project that’s now commencing.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Xi will meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a two-day state visit starting from next Monday, state media Xinhua announced on Friday.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
5 June 2026
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Paul Rogers, a DNR fire prevention specialist, said 80% of the fires that get out of control every year in Michigan are caused by humans, with many of those fires starting as small, intended burns.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
Verb
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How this plays out in practice is actively choosing solo activities, avoiding going on dates, or getting off of dating apps.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
30 May 2026
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And hopefully the near future features another Starship launch — a giant rocket getting off the ground in a matter of weeks, versus the seven months that separated today’s mission from the previous test flight.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
23 May 2026
Verb
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Matt Olson’s solo home run in the sixth inning proved to be the difference Tuesday as the Braves beat the visiting Blue Jays 4-3 at Truist Park, beginning the three-game series with their 15th series-opening victory of the season.—
Chad Bishop,
AJC.com,
3 June 2026
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At times, his lower half was opening too quickly, throwing off the way his legs worked with his upper half.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leading off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leading%20off. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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