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
Jake Bauers singled leading off the sixth and went to third on Cooper Pratt’s ground-rule double before scoring on Frelick’s sacrifice fly. — Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 Harris singled to lead off the game, got a running jump to steal second, advanced to third on a grounder, then scored when Glasnow bounced a breaking ball and LA catcher Will Smith couldn't find the ball in time to make a play. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 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
  • The attack is also not the first time cyber incidents have disrupted food systems.
    — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Its holding group Agache in 2024 acquired a majority stake in Paris FC, which subsequently vaulted back into France’s first division after almost half a century in the second tier.
    — Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of first
Verb
  • The Dream this month announced that the team has struck a multiyear contract to host all home games at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena, beginning next season.
    — Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Tropical storm-force winds began to lash the Gulf shoreline around midday, hours before Isaias was expected to make landfall between Mobile Bay on the Alabama coast and the city of Destin in the Florida Panhandle.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of begin
Adjective
  • However, Efthymiou has been unable to get GBP100,000 (about $130,000) to perform the initial mouse-model study.
    — Deepa Fernandes, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
  • In the initial screening, AccuPoint Solutions uses a variety of primary data points as a minimum baseline, maximum ceiling or within a range to eliminate those firms that do not meet CNBC's requirements.
    — Kelli Grant, CFP®,Riley de León, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of initial
Verb
  • Every belt buckle looks freshly yanked off the rack; every speck of signage resembles something painted 45 minutes before filming commenced that day.
    — Michael Phillips, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The group then commenced writing lyrics for their song, alternating between singing and rapping adorably.
    — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of commence
Adjective
  • Following press and buyer appointments at The Plaza on Wednesday, the inaugural gowns will embark on a national trunk show tour that starts right across the street at Bergdorf Goodman.
    — Ari Stark, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Dreamed up by Emirati chef Maitha Warshaw, the spiced tea is intensely creamy and sweet, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan praised its flavor during the train’s inaugural voyage.
    — Sophia Dyer, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of inaugural
Verb
  • Birthright citizenship continued what the original Constitution started.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The first commercial natural gas deliveries from the Beetaloo Basin started flowing to the energy-hungry Northern Territory.
    — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of start
Adjective
  • The 210,000-dwt Mineral Europa is embarking on its maiden voyage to Australia.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Fate separated the couple when Evelyn boarded the RMS Titanic alone for its maiden voyage.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 7 Oct. 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 13 Oct. 2026.

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