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
Vestal leads off with a single.
—
Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 6 Mar. 2026
After pitchers, catchers and several position players completed their physicals Wednesday, no storyline from the opening day of camp carried more weight than the one that leads off our first takeaways report from Yankees spring training.
—Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
As usual, the list of evils leads off with a medical procedure that is never directly condemned in the Bible — and is arguably even sanctioned in Jewish texts when a pregnancy threatens a woman’s health.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2026
Ohtani, who typically leads off, was working out on the Dodger Stadium field ahead of Tucker’s introductory news conference.
—Beth Harris, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
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
Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 6 Mar. 2026
After pitchers, catchers and several position players completed their physicals Wednesday, no storyline from the opening day of camp carried more weight than the one that leads off our first takeaways report from Yankees spring training.
—Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
As usual, the list of evils leads off with a medical procedure that is never directly condemned in the Bible — and is arguably even sanctioned in Jewish texts when a pregnancy threatens a woman’s health.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2026
Ohtani, who typically leads off, was working out on the Dodger Stadium field ahead of Tucker’s introductory news conference.
—Beth Harris, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leads off
Verb
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By Thursday through Saturday, highs are expected to reach near 90 degrees, marking a return to more summer-like conditions just as May begins.—
Lissette Gonzalez,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
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Unfortunately for her, Steve’s more than ready for the attack, and what begins as a perfect friendship, devolves into an all-out feud.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Falling back to the pack and seven points shy of San Jose, which won 4-1 at BMO Stadium on Sunday, LAFC has seen its recent MLS stumbles coincide with advancing to a two-leg CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal, which commences Wednesday at BMO Stadium and ends May 6 in Toluca, Mexico.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
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The new pact commences on January 2027 after Butterworth’s current deal with Paramount wraps up at the end of the year.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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If space starts to operate more like aviation, the pace of discovery could change in ways that ripple far beyond the aerospace industry.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
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The chatbot starts with questions about a final group project and drills into details based on each student’s answers.—
Jocelyn Gecker,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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September 23 – October 22 Seeing things differently today opens new possibilities for you.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
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Libra September 23 – October 22 Seeing things differently today opens new possibilities for you.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leads off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leads%20off. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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