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
The veteran right-hander's only blemish was McGonigle's fourth homer — a 420-foot shot leading off the fourth that tied it at 1.
—
ABC News, 7 June 2026
Aranda and Richie Palacios drew consecutive walks leading off the third inning and Junior Camerino followed with a single to load the bases.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 May 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
ABC News, 7 June 2026
Aranda and Richie Palacios drew consecutive walks leading off the third inning and Junior Camerino followed with a single to load the bases.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 May 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
-
Korda’s final putt of the day curled in the right side of the cup to solidify her second consecutive round of 67 at Riviera after beginning the championship with a frustrating 2-over 73.—
Gabby Herzig,
New York Times,
7 June 2026
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Student loans, often essential, often expensive and not always forgiven, are changing once again, with new federal rules set to take effect beginning July 1 and impact students starting in fall 2026.—
Kennedy Cook,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
Verb
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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
-
This is the phase of the project that’s now commencing.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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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How this plays out in practice is actively choosing solo activities, avoiding going on dates, or getting off of dating apps.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
30 May 2026
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And hopefully the near future features another Starship launch — a giant rocket getting off the ground in a matter of weeks, versus the seven months that separated today’s mission from the previous test flight.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
23 May 2026
Verb
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The prosecution and defense both waived their right to opening statements in the sentencing phase.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
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The shame of opening the door to them in my filthy pajamas, of letting them into an apartment that had not been cleaned or aired for days.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leading off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leading%20off. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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