as in began
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 led off
In the sixth, Witt led off with a single but was stranded at second base as Thomas, Perez and Pasquantino went down in order.
—
Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2026
Newt Schroeder drove in the only run for Mineral Wells (14-9-2, 3-4) on a ground out in the fourth inning that plated Brogan Sims who had led off the inning with a single.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2026
David Hamilton led off by beating out an infield single.
—ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026
The 25-year-old center fielder led off Triple-A El Paso’s 6-4 loss at Round Rock on Tuesday with his fourth home run, tops so far in the Padres minor league system.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
Ceddanne Rafaela led off the third inning with a single and took second when Isiah Kiner-Falefa beat the throw on a bunt.
—CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
Protecting a 1-0 lead, Peralta ran into trouble in the bottom of the sixth, as rookie JJ Wetherholt led off with a single and Iván Herrera followed with a walk.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2026
Aaron, a lanky public defender and former college football kicker, led off.
—Daniel Brook, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Teoscar Hernandez led off the third inning with a solo home run to tie the score at 1-1.
—Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 23 Mar. 2026
Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2026
Newt Schroeder drove in the only run for Mineral Wells (14-9-2, 3-4) on a ground out in the fourth inning that plated Brogan Sims who had led off the inning with a single.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2026
David Hamilton led off by beating out an infield single.
—ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026
The 25-year-old center fielder led off Triple-A El Paso’s 6-4 loss at Round Rock on Tuesday with his fourth home run, tops so far in the Padres minor league system.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
Ceddanne Rafaela led off the third inning with a single and took second when Isiah Kiner-Falefa beat the throw on a bunt.
—CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
Protecting a 1-0 lead, Peralta ran into trouble in the bottom of the sixth, as rookie JJ Wetherholt led off with a single and Iván Herrera followed with a walk.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2026
Aaron, a lanky public defender and former college football kicker, led off.
—Daniel Brook, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Teoscar Hernandez led off the third inning with a solo home run to tie the score at 1-1.
—Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 23 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for led off
Verb
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Across forty-five years, my course began that way.—
John McPhee,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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No tankers have crossed the Strait of Hormuz today, according to tracking data, making Sunday one of the quietest days in the waterway since the conflict began.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Netflix also shared other casting info as the shoot commenced.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
16 Apr. 2026
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Additionally, a barely visible scar on her forehead was left from falling asleep in the well as drilling commenced.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Power-play push The Lightning started the game 0 for 3 on the power play, running their woeful man-advantage run to 1 for 35 over the past 12 games.—
Eduardo Encina,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
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Clinton has only started two WSL games and missed this camp through injury.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But Republicans got off the mat quickly, forming Virginians for Fair Maps to battle the other team’s Virginians for Fair Elections.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
14 Apr. 2026
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His 2026 debut got off a rocky start when Marte hit the first pitch of the game over the right-field wall.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Crochet opened the fifth at 60 pitches and got two quick strikeouts before leadoff man Jahmai Jones’ solo homer gave Detroit a 2-1 lead.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
-
This is not the first time Denver Book Society owner Rich Garvin has been involved in a disagreement over the new store’s name – a book swap organization started in 2022 called the Denver Book Swap Society also shared concerns about the similar names before Garvin’s store opened in February.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Led off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/led%20off. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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