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
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
De La Cruz sliced an opposite-field hit to right field to score Matt McLain, who walked leading off the inning against Robert Garcia (0-1) and stole second base.
—CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
Tristan Peters singled leading off the ninth, but Trevor Megill retired the next three batters as the Sox fell to 0-3.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Neto added a solo shot leading off the ninth inning for his second extra base hit of the night.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
Gleyber Torres walked leading off the seventh against loser Michael Lorenzen, and Jackson Chourio’s two-out single put runners at the corners.
—Dallas Morning News, 17 Mar. 2026
The Bulldogs struck in the fourth inning, leading off with two consecutive singles.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 21 Feb. 2026
With Baylor leading off and Collier anchoring, the moment felt fitting — one brother handing the torch to another.
—Ansley Gavlak, AJC.com, 8 Feb. 2026
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.
—Ted Alvarez, Outside, 15 Jan. 2026
Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2026
De La Cruz sliced an opposite-field hit to right field to score Matt McLain, who walked leading off the inning against Robert Garcia (0-1) and stole second base.
—CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
Tristan Peters singled leading off the ninth, but Trevor Megill retired the next three batters as the Sox fell to 0-3.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Neto added a solo shot leading off the ninth inning for his second extra base hit of the night.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
Gleyber Torres walked leading off the seventh against loser Michael Lorenzen, and Jackson Chourio’s two-out single put runners at the corners.
—Dallas Morning News, 17 Mar. 2026
The Bulldogs struck in the fourth inning, leading off with two consecutive singles.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 21 Feb. 2026
With Baylor leading off and Collier anchoring, the moment felt fitting — one brother handing the torch to another.
—Ansley Gavlak, AJC.com, 8 Feb. 2026
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.
—Ted Alvarez, Outside, 15 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leading off
Verb
-
The bar staff were beginning to clear up for the night.—
Douglas Stuart,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
-
The ceasefire brokered by Pakistan still faces hurdles in the talks beginning Saturday, as Israel and Hezbollah militants have been trading fire along the border of southern Lebanon and Iran has set conditions before negotiations can begin.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The accord further prohibited the developers from beginning construction on the new residences before commencing work on these improvements.—
Awilda Esteras,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Willie made it through the filming of the first episode, but as the second episode was commencing, word got to me that Willie had returned to Los Angeles and the end was near.—
Annabelle Gurwitch,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Eastern Bloc was starting to unravel, and Fidesz, the political outfit that Orbán co-founded the year before, had been conceived as an engine of liberal reform.—
Kapil Komireddi,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
-
That may mean starting a new project or ending one that’s gone on too long.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Grapevine surges from behind, falls short Lake Creek provided most of the pressure early in the match, keeping the ball in Grapevine’s end and getting off six shots before the Mustangs started pressing in the 26th minute.—
Charles Baggarly & Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Apr. 2026
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Abreu has made a habit of getting off to hot starts, and considering how punchless the Red Sox lineup has been otherwise, his production has been badly needed.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The only way to pull out of an awful season-opening stretch is one at-bat, one pitch, one win at a time.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Founded by Jesús Brazón, the bakery famous for its croissants, sourdough and cachitos will be opening this week at the Harbour Club in Miami Beach’s Sunset Harbour neighborhood.—
Connie Ogle
April 8,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leading off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leading%20off. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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