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
Carlos Narváez led off with a single, then walked back to the dugout as Nate Eaton took his place.
—
Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
Portola led off the appeals requests made to the CIF-SS Council on Thursday at The Grand conference center.
—Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 25 Sep. 2025
Francisco Lindor led off the game with a home run and drove in two other runs with a groundout in the fifth inning and a single in the sixth.
—Will Sammon, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
Farmer singled in Ezequiel Tovar, who led off the inning with a single that was followed by a walk to Blaine Crim.
—Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
Jordan Beck led off with a walk, stole second, advanced to third on a flyout and then scored on Kyle Farmer’s sacrifice fly.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 9 Sep. 2025
Tatis led off the sixth with a single against Scott Barlow.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2025
Teel led off the seventh with a home run, his fifth of the season.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
Portola led off the appeals requests made to the CIF-SS Council on Thursday at The Grand conference center.
—Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 25 Sep. 2025
Francisco Lindor led off the game with a home run and drove in two other runs with a groundout in the fifth inning and a single in the sixth.
—Will Sammon, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
Farmer singled in Ezequiel Tovar, who led off the inning with a single that was followed by a walk to Blaine Crim.
—Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
Jordan Beck led off with a walk, stole second, advanced to third on a flyout and then scored on Kyle Farmer’s sacrifice fly.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 9 Sep. 2025
Tatis led off the sixth with a single against Scott Barlow.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2025
Teel led off the seventh with a home run, his fifth of the season.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for led off
Verb
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Many began seeking alternatives outside the traditional system, and policymakers—particularly in Republican-leaning states—intensified efforts to expand school choice programs.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
28 Sep. 2025
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Then, just as her career began to crest, the Oscar-winning actress took a step back from acting at the age of 26 and married Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956.—
Mark Gray,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In December 2023, San Diego commenced its analysis of what’s known as the Midway Rising Specific Plan as a supplement to the environmental work completed in 2018 for the Midway-Pacific Highway Community Plan.—
Jennifer Van Grove,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Sep. 2025
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After the close call, the Nouvelair flight commenced a go-around and landed safely 16 minutes later, per FlightRadar24.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Tell us about when this album first started taking shape.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
25 Sep. 2025
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When the monologue started, Kimmel walked out to a standing ovation from his live audience.—
Christopher Tremoglie,
The Washington Examiner,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As the defense got off the field on the Chargers' second drive of the day, outside linebacker Nik Bonitto somehow lined up in the neutral zone in punt coverage, giving the ball back on an offsides penalty.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
22 Sep. 2025
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Team Europe got off to a strong start on Friday’s Day 1 , taking three of the four matches– including a marquee doubles match between Alcaraz/Mensik and Fritz/Michelsen — over Team World.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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OpenAI's flagship site for the $500 billion Stargate program opened in Abilene, a city about 180 miles west of Dallas.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
24 Sep. 2025
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The summer program officials said that Camp Mystic Cypress Lake, a sister site that opened in 2020, will be open in summer 2026, while Camp Mystic Guadalupe River will not be able to reopen by then due to the devastating damage sustained earlier this year.—
Jon Haworth,
ABC News,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Led off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/led%20off. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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