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
Cubs designated hitter Michael Conforto homered to center to lead off the third, and Ian Happ hit a two-run single to push the lead to 3-0. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2026 Witt led off the third with a line-drive double off the wall in left field. — ABC News, 6 Sep. 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. set about
Adjective
  • Jarren Duran hit his 20th homer, a solo shot on the first pitch from Grayson Rodriguez (4-7), to spark a four-run second inning for Boston, which improved to an MLB-best 34-17 since the All-Star break.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The first full weekend of college football closed Monday night (eventually), and there was plenty to learn, especially given this was our first glimpse at most 2027 NFL Draft prospects.
    — Dane Brugler, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of first
Verb
  • As Georgia’s college campuses are bustling with students again, this edition of the AJC On Campus roundup begins with a $250,000 settlement.
    — Jason Armesto, AJC.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • According to the federal indictment, Castro told an FBI agent that a man grabbed a red broom off a front porch and began hitting him with it while Castro was trying to detain another man outside a Minneapolis home.
    — Valerie Gonzalez, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of begin
Adjective
  • The film is downright Tarkovskian for its initial hour, unspooling through eerie abstractions that heighten its lingering domestic turmoil.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Entertainment Weekly reached out to Grande’s reps for comment at the time of the initial lyric changes.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of initial
Verb
  • The program picked four international applicants out of nearly 1,000 for a six-month fellowship commencing this month in London along with a cash prize of £10,000 ($13,480) each.
    — Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • This week, London’s Serpentine Galleries announced the launch of a six-month fellowship program, commencing in September, that will award four artists working with artificial intelligence grants of £10,000.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of commence
Adjective
  • These feats would later move to circuses but, despite its proud history, strongman only became an official sport in 1977 with the inaugural World’s Strongest Man.
    — Rob Tanner, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Last June, the sisters helped the Conquer Chargers’ U17 team win the inaugural Roma Bowl in Italy after Sterling’s graduation.
    — Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of inaugural
Verb
  • The Eagles — who let the Braves use their locker room for a fantasy football draft before this series — start playing in a week, and this city is still mad for the Phillies.
    — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Randal Grichuk started the eighth inning with a home run and Kyle Teel added a three-run blast later in the inning for the White Sox.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of start
Adjective
  • In his place, Olid is taking on her first WSL role after guiding Hearts to their maiden Scottish league title.
    — Megan Feringa, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Try maiden grass for something tall and upright that can also serve well as a privacy barrier.
    — Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of maiden
Verb
  • Feeling like finding this 950-square-foot apartment was kismet, Miranda-Martin signed the lease and set about creating a sophisticated and color-saturated sanctuary.
    — Marissa Gluck, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
  • As the team set about their usual high-performance recovery routines, blending active recovery, massages and refueling, a group of USMNT players partook in a different form of relaxation altogether.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 25 June 2026
Definition of set about

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 10 Sep. 2026.

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