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
Cedric Mullins had two of the five hits for Tampa Bay, which did not collect its first hit off Soriano until Mullins singled leading off the fourth.
—
Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
Sullivan homered leading off the third and Troy Johnston tied it with an RBI single in the fourth.
—ABC News, 14 June 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
Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
Sullivan homered leading off the third and Troy Johnston tied it with an RBI single in the fourth.
—ABC News, 14 June 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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A lot goes into maintaining the health of pitchers whose arms bear extreme stress loads, over and over, beginning in March.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Aug. 2025
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Key voices are beginning to emerge as Tennessee lawmakers prepare to return for the 2025 legislative session where school vouchers, hurricane Helene relief, a possible grocery tax cut, and budget choices will likely prove key issues.—
Melissa Brown,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
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There was confirmation of redevelopment work commencing at Elland Road and the small matter of an away kit launch, which positions Leeds among the elite clubs Adidas works with.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
6 June 2026
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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
Verb
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Alchemist Kitchen spins food business gold Several of the businesses identified are graduates of the Alchemist Microenterprise Academy (AMA), a 12-week business training course that teaches the basics of starting a food business.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
12 June 2026
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Ohtani was one of two members of the Dodgers starting rotation who left the game injured.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
Verb
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According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, 31-year-old Lang was arrested Tuesday after getting off a flight in Dallas on one third-degree felony count of making a terroristic threat.—
Shawna Mizelle,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
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The company's 230-foot two-stage Falcon 9 rocket is the most active in the world, regularly getting off the ground to deliver SpaceX's Starlink broadband satellites to a growing constellation in low-Earth orbit.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
27 May 2026
Verb
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Lionel Messi was inches from opening the scoring in Kansas City with just about five minutes gone.—
The Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
17 June 2026
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The Iranian men’s soccer team’s quick departure from Los Angeles following its opening World Cup match was always the plan, according to the US government, despite complaints from the team.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leading off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leading%20off. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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