leading off

verb

present participle of lead off
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of leading off However, Hamilton made up for it the next frame in a big way, leading off the top of the fifth inning with a solo home run to right center field off Griffin Jax, whose solid start ended on a bad note. — Scott Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026 Caminero singled leading off the bottom half to chase May and advanced on a groundout. — Ronald Blum, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026 Tanner Scott allowed a two-strike homer to Garrett Mitchell leading off the sixth as Milwaukee went ahead 5-4. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026 Steven Kwan had singled leading off the fourth ahead of Ramírez’s sixth postseason homer, which went just over the wall near the right-field line. — Joe Reedy, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026 After Phillies starter Jesús Luzardo threw a nine-pitch, 1-2-3 first inning, Dubón started a rally by leading off the second inning with a double into the corner in left field. — Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leading off
  1. beginning
  2. commencing
  3. starting
  4. getting off
  5. opening
Verb
  • While many historic firsts were made, the Center for American Women and Politics reports that as of now, 139 women are projected to serve in the 120th Congress beginning in January, down slightly from the 152 women serving currently.
    — Katie Kindelan, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The result carries particular significance after Republican state lawmakers changed Cabarrus school board elections from nonpartisan to partisan contests beginning in 2024.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of beginning
Verb
  • Holmes was convicted of fraud in 2018 and sentenced to just over 11 years in federal prison, commencing in May 2023.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The film will shoot on location at the heart of Pendle in Lancashire, with principal photography commencing end of September.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of commencing
Verb
  • Gonsolin, 32, will compete for a spot in the Royals’ starting rotation next season.
    — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The United States has starting making arrangements to prepare its key bases to operate for at least 3 months without outside support.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of starting
Verb
  • For Dallas, that has been one of the biggest issues for the defense — getting off the field and not allowing an offense to take huge chunks off the clock.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The Commanders allowed the clock to run out in overtime after getting the ball into field goal range inside the New York 30 without even getting off a kick.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of getting off
Verb
  • The Wildcats struggled from outside in making just one of 13 three-pointers in the opening 20 minutes.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Pugsley said neighbors stepped in to help, opening their home on higher ground.
    — Kelly Werthmann, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of opening

Browse Nearby Words

leading men
leading off
leading on
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Cite this Entry

“Leading off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leading%20off. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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