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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Paramount+ Essential subscribers will be able to stream the show beginning Monday.—
Jordan Freiman,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
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After beginning as an unpaid intern with the Cleveland Cavaliers and landing a position as an assistant with Cleveland’s G League affiliate in Canton, Ohio, Skeeter’s career path also took him through Atlanta just like Lee.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Indiana and Miami begin the semester on January 12, with Ole Miss commencing January 20.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
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None of the arrests of the four individual plaintiffs in this case, on the other hand, were made in immediate anticipation of commencing removal proceedings, much less executing a final order of removal.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
2 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Ryan Kalkbrenner also returned to the lineup after missing two weeks of action and played in the past two matchups, serving as the backup center in Utah and in the first half against the Clippers before being reinserted into Hornets’ starting unit in the second half.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Jan. 2026
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Then, Boston’s starting guards assumed control, with White and Pritchard combining to score their team’s final 11 points of the first half.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
13 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
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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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Per his release, the rapper must follow strict guidelines for the next five years, such as no alcohol, drug testing, and federal supervision when opening bank accounts.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
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But a landmark land claims settlement in 1980 exempted Maine from federal Indian gaming laws, which has prevented the tribes from opening casinos on their lands.—
Center Square,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leading off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leading%20off. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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