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
Toronto managed to score in the top of the ninth; Varsho led off with a single, advanced to third on Ernie Clement’s one-out ground-rule double, and touched home on Gimenez’s RBI single. — Gabrielle Starr, Hartford Courant, 26 July 2026 Shohei Ohtani doubled to lead off the game, and Peralta got the next two outs, but had to throw 11 pitches to Freddie Freeman, then walked Max Muncy. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 26 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. set about
Adjective
  • Now, with one-year mercenary players plus rapid roster turnover, the first game deters even the most addicted sports gambler.
    — Mac Engel July 28, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2026
  • For Glenn Robinson, winning Best Content Creator marked his first victory after several nominations in local competitions.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026
Definition of first
Verb
  • Joe Mack and Xavier Edwards added RBI singles later in the fifth for the Marlins, who began the day 2 1/2 games behind Philadelphia and Arizona for the final two NL playoff spots.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The festival began as a seasonal attraction but has grown into a Kansas City-area family tradition centered on education and close encounters with butterflies.
    — Sophia Buonpane, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of begin
Adjective
  • Home-share staff members typically interview the individual parties, run background checks, verify incomes, coordinate initial phone calls and meetings, and mediate if problems later arise.
    — Paula Span, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026
  • The initial construction of the mask’s mouth is impressive, with long studs and angled pieces to cleverly but accurately recreate the classic triangle.
    — Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of initial
Verb
  • And so commenced a literally explosive weekend of celebrations across the five boroughs, which culminated in a ticker-tape parade on June 18 to City Hall.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 23 July 2026
  • Work commenced on the record three months after Drewchin welcomed the arrival of her first child, Nova, a period in which she was consumed with the reality and potentialities of being a new parent.
    — Colin Joyce, Pitchfork, 20 July 2026
Definition of commence
Adjective
  • Trump was included in many different aspects, including Infantino awarding him FIFA’s inaugural Peace Prize back in December.
    — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2026
  • The inaugural season’s schedule is a work in progress, but Atlanta will be on it.
    — Cassidy Alexander, AJC.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of inaugural
Verb
  • Viterbi started writing the play in San Diego, and then COVID hit.
    — Felicia Feaster, AJC.com, 27 July 2026
  • Willow exploded on Thekla to start the match and pounced her out of the ring.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of start
Adjective
  • According to Air Force officials, the program remains on schedule, with the aircraft’s maiden flight expected in 2028.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 31 July 2026
  • Bournemouth are well stocked higher up the pitch for their maiden campaign in Europe.
    — Luke Bosher, New York Times, 31 July 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 2 Aug. 2026.

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