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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In their prior five SEC losses, opponents largely controlled the game from beginning to end.—
Ethan Westerman,
Arkansas Online,
1 Feb. 2026
-
An intense arctic cold front will move through South Florida beginning Saturday morning and move into the Florida Straits by Saturday night.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In his late 20s at the time, Murdoch was commencing a staggering hot streak that would last roughly a decade.—
Elizabeth Nelson,
Pitchfork,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Indiana and Miami begin the semester on January 12, with Ole Miss commencing January 20.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Kyiv, which has grappled with severe power shortages this winter, is forecast to enter a brutally cold stretch starting Friday that is expected to last into next week.—
AAMER MADHANI AND SUSIE BLANN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 2026
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And that leader was starting running back Chuba Hubbard, who carried a simple message.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Brown was slow getting off the field, which put the Eagles at risk of a penalty for too many men on the field.—
Saad Yousuf,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Once the guides had the snake under control, Smith and Fry could be seen getting off the boat to examine the creature close up.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Or another extreme swing of the pendulum, guided by the ultrawealthy closing and opening their wallets?—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Cooking down the chicory to the point of jamminess is an eye-opening approach that reveals a world of options beyond salad.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leading off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leading%20off. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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