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
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
Eddie Madrigal, a pinch-hitter, led off with a shot to right field over Jayden Duplantier for an opening double and then catcher Taylor Belza walked.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 22 Mar. 2026
Lale Esquivel’s solo homer led off the top of sixth inning where the Mustangs scored 5 times.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Mar. 2026
Acuña led off with a walk, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by Nicaragua catcher Ronald Rivera.
—Dallas Morning News, 10 Mar. 2026
Soto led off with a five-pitch walk.
—Noah Gulley, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2026
But her race was thrown off course as she was led off the path by a media vehicle, according to Athletics Illustrated.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 Mar. 2026
Watson led off the inning with a lineout before allowing a single, hit by pitch and a walk to load the bases.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 2 Mar. 2026
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
Eddie Madrigal, a pinch-hitter, led off with a shot to right field over Jayden Duplantier for an opening double and then catcher Taylor Belza walked.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 22 Mar. 2026
Lale Esquivel’s solo homer led off the top of sixth inning where the Mustangs scored 5 times.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Mar. 2026
Acuña led off with a walk, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by Nicaragua catcher Ronald Rivera.
—Dallas Morning News, 10 Mar. 2026
Soto led off with a five-pitch walk.
—Noah Gulley, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2026
But her race was thrown off course as she was led off the path by a media vehicle, according to Athletics Illustrated.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 Mar. 2026
Watson led off the inning with a lineout before allowing a single, hit by pitch and a walk to load the bases.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 2 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for led off
Verb
-
Austin Duffield was asleep on his couch in the apartment below Cincotti's when the fire began.—
Garrett Behanna,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Potter, who began his career playing for the Heat’s Summer League team as an undrafted player out of Wisconsin in 2021, scored 19 in the first half (on 5 for 6 three-point shooting) and 21 for the game.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The personal injury trial commenced in late January in LA Superior Court.—
Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2026
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But even before escort missions commenced, US sailors found themselves in harm’s way.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Carolyn Hax started her Washington Post advice column in 1997, after five years on the Style desk and none as a therapist.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
3 Apr. 2026
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The match started 90 minutes late due to rain over Hard Rock Stadium.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Friday apparently got off to a poor start, closing at 9PM due the giant wall of situation-monitoring television screens —the very point of the bar — not working.—
Tina Nguyen,
The Verge,
25 Mar. 2026
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Veteran Italian striker Ciro Immobile finally got off the mark for new club Paris FC in a 3-2 home win over Le Havre.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Catch an impromptu movie at Cobble Hill Cinemas (Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens are mere blocks apart), a neighborhood joint that opened in the 1920s as the Lido.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
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Although a space for dialogue has opened, the distrust has hardly gone away.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Led off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/led%20off. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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