as in first
coming before all others in time or order
the leadoff batter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Recent Examples of leadoff
Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 7 Mar. 2026
Cubs manager Craig Counsell led off Wednesday’s media briefing with a rundown of medical updates, underscoring the idea that roster plans are always fluid.
—Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
The Angels’ Christian Moore led off the third inning with a solo homer to left.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
But Baldwin in the on-deck circle watching Acuña lead off, and Riley and Olson positioned somewhere in the middle of the order, should be customary.
—Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for leadoff
Verb
Hutson had given the Canadiens the lead off his power-play effort.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 7 Mar. 2026
Cubs manager Craig Counsell led off Wednesday’s media briefing with a rundown of medical updates, underscoring the idea that roster plans are always fluid.
—Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
The Angels’ Christian Moore led off the third inning with a solo homer to left.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
But Baldwin in the on-deck circle watching Acuña lead off, and Riley and Olson positioned somewhere in the middle of the order, should be customary.
—Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for leadoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leadoff
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, for the GOP nomination for secretary of state, Harris and Adamczyk were vying for the right to compete against Giannoulias, a first-term incumbent, in November’s general election.—
Jonathan Bullington,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
-
This Revive formula lived up to its name, adding more shine, bounce, and control after the very first use.—
Catharine Malzahn,
Glamour,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Richins, wearing a white blouse with pale blue and peach-colored flowers on it, looked down and began breathing heavily when the verdict was announced.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
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All three hits came Michael Lorenzen, who Italy manager Francisco Cervelli originally announced as the team’s starter for the semifinal before changing course and having Aaron Nola begin the game on the mound.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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They were not required to enter a plea at an initial court appearance Monday and were ordered held without bail.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Mar. 2026
-
But the initial boost to stocks of Archer, BETA, and rival Joby Aviation was short-lived.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
All changes take effect June 18 except for Cartagena, which commences June 11.—
Vinod Sreeharsha,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Spring football has commenced and reporters got a 35-minute window to watch Coleman and a host of new Longhorns who are out to make sure last season’s omission from the College Football Playoff was a one-off and not the start of a bad-for-business trend on the Forty.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Mostly gone are the staff’s personal foibles and follies, but vanished, too, is the post-COVID-19 despair that hung over the inaugural episodes like an aerosol haze.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
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In March 2024, Rivian revealed that the midsize R2 would be made alongside its inaugural lines in Illinois, putting plans to build a $5 billion Georgia plant on hold.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sign up here to receive an email right as the chat is about to start.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
27 Mar. 2026
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By mid-April a lot of good could start to roll in.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
All seven of Regent Seven Seas’ small luxury cruise ships, the newest of which is Seven Seas Prestige, whose maiden voyage is slated for the end of the year, carry between 496 and 850 guests.—
Susan B. Barnes,
Southern Living,
12 Mar. 2026
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Elon Musk said SpaceX is pushing back even further the maiden launch of the company's next version of its gigantic and powerful Starship rocket.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Some of this is inevitable — the original cadre of settlers who remember fleeing to the island with the hope of retaking the mainland has all but died off.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
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After all, orchestrating pre-arranged scores is far easier than composing original music from scratch.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leadoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leadoff. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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