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

Relevance

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

Jonny DeLuca led off with a single, stole second, went to third on a one-out grounder to first by Ben Williamson and scored on a two-out single by Nick Fortes. — Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2026 Rays center fielder Jonny DeLuca led off with a single to left field. — Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for leadoff

Recent Examples of Synonyms for leadoff

Adjective

The Astros took over the division lead for the first time since April after a three-game sweep of the Rangers over the weekend.

— David Brandt, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2026
Amazon shares gained 4% and hit a new all-time high on Monday, putting its market cap over the $3 trillion threshold for the first time following a better-than-expected earnings report last week.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of first

Verb

Attacks could draw retaliation and reignite Yemen’s war Yemen’s civil war began in 2014 when the rebels seized the capital, Sanaa, and much of northern Yemen, forcing the government into exile.

— Fatma Khaled, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2026
Insider tip Follow the paths through the lavender fields at sunset, when the bees begin to settle and the fields catch the last of the ethereal light.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of begin

Adjective

These winds are strong enough to blow around embers and keep fire crews on their toes, but are nowhere close to the nearly 50 mph gusts that fueled the fires’ initial explosive spread last weekend.

— Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
Implementation began last month with an initial pilot zone in an area that wasn’t occupied by Israeli forces but had previously sustained Israeli fire.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of initial

Verb

After a study to map its sprawling network of rooms commenced in 2022, a nuclear bunker in northern Italy will transform into a Cold War museum scheduled to open in part next year.

— Andy Battaglia, ARTnews.com, 7 Aug. 2026
That final ship didn’t sink, and in New York, the girls transferred to a train that returned them to their Chicagoland suburb just as the drum major raised his mace to commence a homecoming parade held in their honor.

— Claire Carusillo, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of commence

Adjective

The gallery program, presented by Artforum, is the cornerstone of the inaugural event, bringing together more than 76 world renowned galleries shaping the contemporary art world.

— News Desk, Artforum, 4 Aug. 2026
The impact the charities have is the reason NBA Stars like Kevin Durant wanted to be a part of this inaugural event.

— Mena Mirhom, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of inaugural

Verb

Add in Oracle and sovereign-scale projects like Stargate, and the buildout starts to resemble a national infrastructure program more than a corporate capex cycle.

— Michael Wee, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
On Sunday, authorities said one man was arrested on Kefalonia on suspicion of having started a fire that spread quickly in the southeastern part of the island, triggering the evacuation of nearby villages.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of start

Adjective

Earlier this summer, competing in her maiden grand-tour race, the Spaniard won the Vuelta a Espana Femenina, her fourth victory of the season.

— Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
The 2016 Indy 500 winner conducted the maiden validation test, praising the car's exceptional build quality and predictable, rewarding handling.

— Bruce Martin, Forbes.com, 1 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

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Leadoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leadoff. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of leadoff

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

anecdote

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes