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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The drones are programmed not to fly over 200 feet and to return to their charging station on their own when the battery level begins to get low.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
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The 126th New York International Auto Show begins this week and car fans across the globe are revved up.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But the Passover Seder also commences the 50-day historical journey to Mount Sinai, the metaphorical site where the Jewish people received the Torah, the laws and traditions that gave shape to their journey, their culture and societal structure.—
Michael Pfleger,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
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All changes take effect June 18 except for Cartagena, which commences June 11.—
Vinod Sreeharsha,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Decanting a status soap into a rock crystal dispenser, like the Aria from Waterworks, starts a conversation.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
31 Mar. 2026
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The answer starts right at your front door.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Mexican, a Dallas restaurant that Unesco named one of the most beautiful restaurants in the world, opens April 7 on Brickell Key with more than 10,000 square feet of space and room for over 330 diners.—
Connie Ogle,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
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His visit to Monaco is only his second outside Italy, but opens what is expected to be a busy year of travel.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leads off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leads%20off. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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