leadoff 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of leadoffnext
as in first
coming before all others in time or order the leadoff batter

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lead off

2 of 2

verb

ˈlēd- How to pronounce lead off (audio)
as in to begin
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

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 leadoff
Adjective
Those four all ranked among the top 40 in baseball in non-leadoff plate appearances with the bases empty last season. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
Along the way, the Padres got a one-out double by Jake Cronenworth in the second inning, a one-out double by Ty France in the fourth, a double leading off the fifth by Freddy Fermin and another one-out double by France in the sixth. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2026 After Mesa led off the second with his home run, the Rays had two on and no outs, but Hunter Feduccia struck out, and Yandy Diaz (1-for-16 in the series) and Jonathan Aranda (1-for-12) both flied out. — Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for leadoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leadoff
  1. first
  2. begin
  3. initial
  4. commence
  5. inaugural
  6. start
  7. maiden
  8. get off
Adjective
  • Monday’s victory for the Braves was just their second in the last 11 games against the Padres and the first of this season after being swept in San Diego in June.
    — Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 21 July 2026
  • Gen might have gotten away scot-free from the sheets incident in terms of optics — no one questions her involvement, even though her job description includes housekeeping — but karma hounds her during the first day of the charter.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 July 2026
Definition of first
Verb
  • In addition to its ongoing pursuit of LeBron James, the Heat also would like to add another veteran shooter and another veteran big man but might begin the season with only 14 under contract.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026
  • Construction is expected to begin in summer 2026 and be completed by early 2027.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 18 July 2026
Definition of begin
Adjective
  • The initial proof of principle by the Normal team served as an inspiration for Whitelam, who recently reported a simulation of a nonequilibrium thermodynamic computing circuit.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 15 July 2026
  • The initial broadcast sparked protests and complaints from viewers, advertisers, and conservative activists, leading some CBS affiliates to exclude the episode from their lineup of reruns the following summer.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 July 2026
Definition of initial
Verb
  • Iran has reportedly instructed Yemen's Houthis to prepare to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait if the US strikes Iranian power infrastructure, which has commenced.
    — Frank Ahrens, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • With a fury inside him, Garfield unleashes violence against them and commences the rebellion.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 16 July 2026
Definition of commence
Adjective
  • For the Craft Roundtables’ inaugural year, IndieWire received nominations in the Outstanding Directing for a Daytime Studio Non-Fiction Series as well as the Outstanding Editing for a Daytime Studio Program.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 14 July 2026
  • Launched at the inaugural Costa Rica Media Market last year in partnership with Grupo Morbido, the open call lured 55 projects from across the region.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 14 July 2026
Definition of inaugural
Verb
  • Torres – one of Barcelona’s key men up front – had been having an awful tournament, missing a plethora of chances throughout Spain’s campaign and being benched after starting against Cape Verde.
    — Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • Transfer to the middle rack of the oven and bake until the tomatoes begin to burst and the gnocchi start to sizzle, about 15 minutes.
    — Kate Williams, AJC.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of start
Adjective
  • Jackson Suber, playing in his maiden Open Championship, shot a 5-under 65 to take the first-round lead.
    — Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 16 July 2026
  • Tony Vitello’s maiden voyage as a major league manager is a smoldering, uninsurable shipwreck.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 14 July 2026
Definition of maiden
Verb
  • The child screamed for help during the incident, while Pambianchi yelled for Schmidt to get off of the child, Pambianchi said.
    — Gabe White, Arkansas Online, 21 July 2026
  • That level of involvement is necessary and is how most companies get off the ground.
    — Troy Nelson, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of get off

Browse Nearby Words

leadmen
leadoff
lead off
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Cite this Entry

“Leadoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leadoff. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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