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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
Kyle Schwarber led off with a single, hitting another later in the inning. — Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026 Harris, who had three hits, led off the seventh with a single off left-hander José Alvarado (4-3) and moved to second on a wild pitch before scoring on Olson's single to left field for a 2-2 tie. — ABC News, 13 Sep. 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
  • Atkinson won the Whitbread (now Costa) Book of the Year prize with her first novel, Behind the Scenes at the Museum.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The first operation, in June, led authorities to a box truck carrying some 2,000 animals, a mix of reptiles, fish and invertebrates that were being smuggled for sale on the black market.
    — John Donegan LONG BEACH POST, Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of first
Verb
  • Graham began screenwriting with teleplays for the ‘80s version of The Twilight Zone.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2026
  • More expansive early voting is scheduled to begin in those and other states in the coming weeks.
    — ALI SWENSON, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of begin
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
  • Its inaugural hearing-aid-fitting clinic is at Sixty-first and Park.
    — David Owen, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Budapest was picked to host the inaugural Ultimate Championships in part because of how good the World Championships were here three years ago.
    — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 14 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
  • One day before the anniversary of his first (and, so far, only) F1 victory, Gasly secured a stunning maiden pole position at Monza.
    — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Try maiden grass for something tall and upright that can also serve well as a privacy barrier.
    — Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 26 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
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Cite this Entry

“Leadoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leadoff. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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