leadoff 1 of 2

adjective

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

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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
Then, leading off the seventh inning, the Mets’ José Reyes hit a chopper Astros shortstop Adam Everett tried unsuccessfully to barehand — an infield single. — Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 Rafael Devers, though, singled to center to lead off the fourth for the Giants’ first hit, then Adames hammered a 97 mph Williams fastball over the right-center field wall for his 20th home run of the season and 200th of his career. — Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 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
  • Announced at the Hot Chips conference, the processor is the first dual-architecture mainframe chip from IBM and is being developed for future IBM Z and LinuxONE systems.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Nvidia said the first computing racks built on technology from its $20 billion Groq deal, the Groq 3 LPX, will be operational later this year, with Nebius as the launch customer.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of first
Verb
  • That approach could help developers identify infrastructure constraints before construction begins.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Dehqani said reconstruction work began immediately after the refinery was hit during the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in 2025.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of begin
Adjective
  • The captain did not enter a plea during an initial appearance in federal court on August 10.
    — Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • According to police, Rodriguez hired her son as a security guard with an initial salary of $42,000.
    — Abby Dodge, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of initial
Verb
  • There is no word on when the search for a new warden will commence.
    — Christopher DeRose, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The Jet Set to the Beekman package commences with a Blade helicopter flight to Pier 11 in Lower Manhattan (from eligible departure points), where a house car will then take you to the Beekman’s West Turret penthouse.
    — Spencer Whaley, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of commence
Adjective
  • The inaugural edition took place in India, and selected a crop of businesses focusing on India’s priority health domains like oncology, chronic disease management and preventive care.
    — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin, renowned as the world’s oldest major speedway, hosted its inaugural automobile race.
    — USA Today, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of inaugural
Verb
  • If the plans to destroy the theater are followed through, the process will, ironically, have to start with an excavation.
    — Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • One of President Vladimir Putin’s key goals in starting a war with Russia’s neighbor in February 2022 was to place Kyiv in Moscow’s orbit.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of start
Adjective
  • All eyes were on Brooks’ maiden voyage on his first arena tour in a decade.
    — Heather Bushman, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Perhaps Wilkinson’s two-inning maiden voyage was shorter than his cheering section would have liked.
    — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 20 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 26 Aug. 2026.

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