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
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
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 Orionid meteor shower peak begins tonight, welcoming a spectacular natural light show that could see a flurry of shooting stars spawned by Halley's Comet brighten the dark, moonless sky.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
20 Oct. 2025
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Both were called up to the national team for the upcoming window, which begins next week.—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Here, for now, are three pressing questions as the offseason commences.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
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After 2029 the moon will pass south of the Pleiades until the next series commences in 2042.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That could drag down lenders that are most susceptible if the economy really starts to take a turn for the worse.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
17 Oct. 2025
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The track starts with a pulsating Simmons bass riff, setting the tone for one of Kiss' funkier guitar grooves.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Get Morning Squawk directly in your inbox CNBC’s Morning Squawk recaps the biggest stories investors should know before the stock market opens, every weekday morning.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
20 Oct. 2025
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Visitors can stay in the beloved 21c Museum Hotel in downtown Bentonville, which is filled with art throughout, or the soon-to-open lifestyle hotel The Compton, which opens in fall 2025 on Bentonville's historic square.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Leads off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leads%20off. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
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