led off

verb

past tense of lead off
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of led off The gaffe enabled Thomas — who led off with a single — to score his second run. — Kansas City Star, 18 July 2026 De La Cruz led off with a single and Sal Stewart drove him in with a double to give the Reds a 1-0 lead after one. — ABC News, 17 July 2026 Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber, last year’s hero in the first-ever swing-off tiebreaker, led off for the NL. — Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 15 July 2026 James Wood led off the bottom of the first with a home run, and Curtis Mead also homered for Washington. — CBS News, 12 July 2026 Osuna led off the ninth with a single and went to second on pinch-hitter Nicky Lopez’s sacrifice bunt. — Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026 Nolan Arenado led off the eighth with a single, advanced to second on a wild pitch, then scored on a single by Pavin Smith. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 2 July 2026 The second didn’t go as well, as Mookie Betts led off with a homer to left-center field on a 3-2 pitch. — Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 25 June 2026 Eaton led off and led the lineup with a 3 for 4 performance, a walk, two runs and two RBI. — Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 24 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for led off
  1. began
  2. commenced
  3. started
  4. got off
  5. opened
Verb
  • SpaceX scrubbed the launch attempt, and engineers began preparations to drain the rocket’s propellant tanks.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026
  • Tariffs on building materials such as lumber and steel, along with the inflation surge that began in 2022, have driven up the cost of renovations.
    — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Definition of began
Verb
  • Scott’s trial commenced on June 1, 2004, in Redwood City after Judge Alfred Delucchi approved a change of venue from Modesto due to the media scrutiny.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 18 July 2026
  • Iran has reportedly instructed Yemen's Houthis to prepare to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait if the US strikes Iranian power infrastructure, which has commenced.
    — Frank Ahrens, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of commenced
Verb
  • Work that once required specialized support can now be started by almost anyone with a prompt.
    — Belonging Forum, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • The little church launched a big capital campaign and donations started pouring in locally and from places as far away as Australia, Rozelle said.
    — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
Definition of started
Verb
  • That season got off to an exciting start, fueled by DeBrincat (and then Kane), and offered hope that the tide was turning.
    — Max Bultman, New York Times, 17 July 2026
  • Photographer Joan Monfort told the Associated Press at the time that the session got off to an awkward start because Messi was shy around the infant.
    — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026
Definition of got off
Verb
  • Project Hail Mary, which was filmed for IMAX, opened with $28 million in global IMAX box office.
    — David Deal, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • Meadow Plaza Shopping Center, which first opened in 1959, has long served as a neighborhood go-to spot for daily necessities.
    — Alexandra Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026
Definition of opened

Browse Nearby Words

ledgers
led off
led on
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Cite this Entry

“Led off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/led%20off. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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