as in begins
to take the first step in (a process or course of action)
plans to lead off the news conference with a prepared statement
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Recent Examples of leads off
Every Wednesday, Reid leads off the weekly news conference.
—
Sam McDowell 18, Kansas City Star, 18 Dec. 2025
Alex Bregman #2 of the Boston Red Sox leads off second base during the first inning of a game against the New York Yankees on September 14, 2025 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.
—Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Jarren Duran, who typically leads off and who hasn’t batted lower than sixth in the order all season, will bat eighth.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 16 Sep. 2025
Sam McDowell 18, Kansas City Star, 18 Dec. 2025
Alex Bregman #2 of the Boston Red Sox leads off second base during the first inning of a game against the New York Yankees on September 14, 2025 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.
—Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Jarren Duran, who typically leads off and who hasn’t batted lower than sixth in the order all season, will bat eighth.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leads off
Verb
-
The mission now begins final checkout activities.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Jan. 2026
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As the pooch chews on the glove, the battery is suddenly damaged and begins to smoke.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The first leg of the annual championship commences this Saturday, January 3, and wraps up on Saturday, January 17.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
2 Jan. 2026
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Hickey’s expectations come as Wall Street readies for the new trading year, which commences with Friday’s opening bell.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
29 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Planning your Sunday Sunday starts drier, but another cold front moves through late in the day.—
Andrew Kozak,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
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The waterfront views steal the show, especially as boats drift by and the light starts to change.—
Chantelle Kincy,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Downtown Boise stands poised to add a pair of new high rises to its growing inventory in 2026 when The Bannock opens two blocks southeast from the Capitol.—
Mark Dee
January 13,
Idaho Statesman,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The space, a former artist’s studio turned residence, opens directly onto the street and is crowned by a transom window that floods the interior with natural light.—
Nicolas Milon,
Architectural Digest,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leads off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leads%20off. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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