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

Chaparro led off the third and fifth innings with home runs against Mets starter Sean Manaea (6-8). — Cbs New York Team, CBS News, 27 Sep. 2026 Andres Chaparro singled to lead off and was moved over on a wild pitch from Pintaro. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 26 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for leadoff

Recent Examples of Synonyms for leadoff

Adjective

The Ordinary also staked out its first flagship, of 170 square feet, in Paris’ Marais district after a successful pop-up drew lines outside the door.

— Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026
Shakira Live From Madrid will be the pop star’s first full concert to air live; she’s been touring for over a year and made a few changes to the setlist to add some World Cup and Zootopia flair.

— Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of first

Verb

Once the playoffs began, New York has looked like a different team, and twice blew out top-seed Minnesota to advance.

— Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
The White House originally said checks would begin in October, but the administration official told CNBC the first batch went out this Wednesday.

— Sydney Lake, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of begin

Adjective

The chain’s restaurants were leased back to it under a 25-year master lease, which included 2% annual escalators, extending until the early 2040s, according to the initial deal terms.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
In keeping with the brand’s spirit of generosity, the initial stock of Bali gin and Scotch whisky, beer, soft beverages such as jamu, and locally made artisanal snacks such as Krakakoa Chocolate is gratis.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of initial

Verb

It has been known since the 1970s for yielding Roman artifacts, but an organized investigation did not commence until 2017, when geophysical surveys exposed a first-century fortification there.

— Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 29 Sep. 2026
The mountain, known to the Indigenous inhabitants of the region as the Six Grandfathers, was considered sacred, and construction commenced over the vehement objections of Native Americans.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of commence

Adjective

The video is, of course, Swift’s latest directorial effort, and the occasion of her attendance at the VMAs was receiving the inaugural Artist-Director Honor.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 28 Sep. 2026
Mercedes-Benz Stadium will also be modified to accommodate the team before its inaugural season.

— Christopher Harris, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of inaugural

Verb

Inspections started June 24 — the day after the late-June discovery — on the building’s third floor.

— Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
States have already started slashing caregivers’ pay and other critical disability services in anticipation of Medicaid cuts that will roll out next year.

— STAT, STAT, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of start

Adjective

The maiden flight of the full-scale eFlyer 2 prototype launched from Centennial Airport near Denver, with chief test pilot Elliot Seguin at the controls.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Sep. 2026
Fast bowler Newman Nyamhuri, who took his maiden five-wicket haul in the first match, was rested and Zimbabwe brought in Ernest Masuku, also for the first time in the series.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 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

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lead off

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Style

“Leadoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leadoff. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of leadoff

adjective

verb

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