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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of leading off
Vinnie Pasquantino connected on his 29th home run of the season leading off the fourth inning to trim the deficit to 3-2.
—
Oc Register, 5 Sep. 2025
Augustin Ramirez walked leading off the Miami fourth and Liam Hicks hit into a force play.
—Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025
Monday’s home run leading off the second sparked a three-run inning.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025
The lone run scored after Tolle allowed a double to Jacksonville's Matthew Etzel leading off the game.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
Romy Gonzalez is leading off, and Cora has usual leadoff man Roman Anthony, the hero Thursday night, batting third.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
Oc Register, 5 Sep. 2025
Augustin Ramirez walked leading off the Miami fourth and Liam Hicks hit into a force play.
—Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025
Monday’s home run leading off the second sparked a three-run inning.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025
The lone run scored after Tolle allowed a double to Jacksonville's Matthew Etzel leading off the game.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
Romy Gonzalez is leading off, and Cora has usual leadoff man Roman Anthony, the hero Thursday night, batting third.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leading off
Verb
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All the while, much of the growth in the stock market is driven by tech and AI stocks, especially a massive nationwide investment in data centers, with many investors beginning to see signs of a bubble that may end up popping before any other shoes drop.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
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Jackman keeps that inheritance intact, similarly flipping the romantic tale script by beginning not with flirtation or longing, but with a wedding.—
Leila Latif,
IndieWire,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The rebate checks were issued for three consecutive years, commencing in 1999.—
Robert Goulder,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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Subsequently, Liddell highlights the importance of entrepreneurs commencing their journey with clear goals in place.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Because, immediately, journeyman Jones threw five passes on the first five plays to began attacking the NFL’s weakest starting cornerbacks — a situation too obvious for the club to have gone the entire offseason not doing enough to remedy.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
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The season-starting installment showed the duo arriving in London only to find a single living person remaining in the form of Stephen Merchant’s Julian.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Defense has 1 full-time starter returning Linebacker Dariel Djabome is the lone full-time starter returning on a unit that had a difficult time getting off the field on third down.—
Everett Merrill,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Aug. 2025
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The Mercedes, which had a temporary tag, was last seen getting off the highway on exit 8A onto Northwest 95th Street, according to the FHP.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
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His historic trial in Fort Pierce federal court gets underway on Monday with jury selection, followed by opening statements on Thursday.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
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An avid sports fan, Armani was also behind the uniforms of several soccer teams and crossed his design interest into the hospitality space, opening a line of luxury hotels.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Leading off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leading%20off. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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