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
The movie division’s success led off Disney’s Q1 2026 earnings call earlier this week, with Iger giving Bergman and his team a shout-out.
—
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 3 Feb. 2026
After a brief exchange, Taylor is put in handcuffs and led off the court at Forbes Arena.
—Sarah Spencer, AJC.com, 2 Feb. 2026
Kuemper was soon led off the ice, having made five saves.
—CBS News, 15 Dec. 2025
The man was then led off as onlookers watched in disbelief.
—Emma Bussey , Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2025
George Springer led off with a single and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Nathan Lukes.
—Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 2 Nov. 2025
Nathan Lukes led off Game 4 and played left field in Springer's place on Tuesday, a game the Blue Jays won 6-2.
—Jon Paul Hoornstra, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Daulton Varsho led off with a single and Ernie Clement doubled, and Dave Roberts made the call for Banda.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
Chourio, who led off the Brewers’ Game 2 loss with a home run off Yoshinobu Yamamoto, was replaced during his at-bat by pinch hitter Blake Perkins in the seventh inning.
—C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 3 Feb. 2026
After a brief exchange, Taylor is put in handcuffs and led off the court at Forbes Arena.
—Sarah Spencer, AJC.com, 2 Feb. 2026
Kuemper was soon led off the ice, having made five saves.
—CBS News, 15 Dec. 2025
The man was then led off as onlookers watched in disbelief.
—Emma Bussey , Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2025
George Springer led off with a single and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Nathan Lukes.
—Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 2 Nov. 2025
Nathan Lukes led off Game 4 and played left field in Springer's place on Tuesday, a game the Blue Jays won 6-2.
—Jon Paul Hoornstra, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Daulton Varsho led off with a single and Ernie Clement doubled, and Dave Roberts made the call for Banda.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
Chourio, who led off the Brewers’ Game 2 loss with a home run off Yoshinobu Yamamoto, was replaced during his at-bat by pinch hitter Blake Perkins in the seventh inning.
—C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for led off
Verb
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Celebs began wearing the anti-ICE pins at Sundance Film Festival and the Golden Globes.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
2 Feb. 2026
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That spirit led him to cofound Hummingbird Resources a year earlier, which began as a grassroots exploration company and today operates mines in three West African countries.—
Jill Newman,
Robb Report,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As litigation commenced and DHS officials were called to testify, judges became frustrated at the rampant false testimony and disobedience of the government.—
Clarence Page,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Feb. 2026
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That all changed Wednesday evening, when the Metro Mesa League opener commenced between the two schools at Olympian.—
Breven Honda,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins started the month of February with a goalie fight during their Stadium Series matchup at the home of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
2 Feb. 2026
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Strong got the run started with a three-point play and the Huskies sliced through Tennessee's pressure defense for layups.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
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His rebound control remains a work in progress, but particularly early in the game, Ellis was sharp while the Sabres got off to a slow start.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
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That's when two restaurant employees followed the suspects, who had boarded a bus and then got off at the convenience store.—
Jennifer McRae,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Justice Department has opened a civil rights investigation into the Pretti shooting, US Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced Friday.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
2 Feb. 2026
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Brooklyn native Richard Beavers opened his eponymous Bed-Stuy gallery in 2007 with a mission to promote diverse works for contemporary art.—
Karu F. Daniels,
New York Daily News,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Led off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/led%20off. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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