LEADOFF Synonyms: 95 Similar and Opposite Words

leadoff 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of leadoff

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-

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

José Ramírez led off the fourth with a double down the right-field line, advanced to third on Chase DeLauter's fly out to left and scored on Jo Adell's infield single. — ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026 After Ryan O'Hearn led off with a single to center, Flores sent a slider from Nate Pearson (2-3) into the left-field bleachers for his 10th homer this season. — CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for leadoff

Recent Examples of Synonyms for leadoff

Adjective

Take Ludwig, 2018, the artist’s first CGI video, which for eight minutes stays fixed on a single CGI blond boy who rolls around in the dark hold of a ship amid a storm.

— Matthew McLean, Artforum, 22 Sep. 2026
First ring, first row of the Koch Theater is widely considered to have the best seats in the house.

— Fiorella Valdesolo, Curbed, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of first

Adjective

An initial tank would use a 1,500-horsepower diesel generator.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2026
Actor, singer, and entrepreneur Tyrese Gibson has been part of FuelFest—founded in 2019—since Cody Walker shared his initial idea for it over dinner.

— Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of initial

Verb

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
Then the Padres commenced giving him a big cushion, scoring two runs in the second inning and batting around and scoring five times in the second.

— Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2026

Definition of commence

Adjective

The Red Sea fest and market was established in 2019, with its inaugural edition taking place in 2020, two years after Saudi Arabia lifted its 35-year ban on commercial movie theaters.

— Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026
The inaugural prize celebrates a sustained and influential body of work from artists who have pushed creative boundaries and developed a clear directorial voice.

— Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of inaugural

Verb

But with mixed feelings the band’s nucleus of fans are holding their breath as their champions start their steady climb.

— Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2026
Moccasin Flats started with a simple idea—build three houses in Southern Utah that feel more like part of the desert than something dropped onto it.

— Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of start

Adjective

The maiden season of new cruise ships, new or one-off itineraries, and special event sailings tend to go quickly, too.

— Erica Silverstein, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2026
Nyamhuri celebrated his maiden five-wicket haul in the final over when Renshaw mistimed a shot on the leg-side and was caught at deep mid-wicket as Australia scored 66 runs in the final 10 overs.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Sep. 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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Style

“Leadoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leadoff. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of leadoff

adjective

verb

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