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
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
During a conference call with Wall Street analysts to discuss the quarterly numbers, Ergen led off with bullish comments about the SpaceX position.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 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
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
During a conference call with Wall Street analysts to discuss the quarterly numbers, Ergen led off with bullish comments about the SpaceX position.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 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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Satellite television brought a plethora of choice into the living room, Western brands began to appear in shops and, for a burgeoning middle class, the definition of success was suddenly rewritten.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Rayo began 2023-24 well under Iraola’s successor Francisco Rodriguez but then started to falter.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Officials then searched the children’s home and commenced an air and ground search.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
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In 2012, whiskey production commenced at the distillery, with bottles hitting the market a few years later.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The year started with a four-day streak of 70-degree highs; however, Oklahoma will soon see temperatures dip a bit into the mid-50s and 60s at the start of next week, with some parts of the state expecting snow.—
Josh Kelly,
Oklahoman,
9 Jan. 2026
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Sean Kuraly had a goal and an assist, Tanner Jeannot had two assists, and the Boston Bruins started a five-game homestand with a 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames on Thursday night.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison, who orchestrated the Doncic trade, was fired after the team got off to a slow start this season.—
Jim Barnes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Jan. 2026
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General manager Nico Harrison, the orchestrator of the deal, was fired in November after Dallas got off to a slow start.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Pruneyard Cinemas opened to a lot of fanfare in 2018, but its owners have been running uphill — and losing ground — since the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns.—
Sal Pizarro,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
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The business initially opened as a supply store, then added a taproom and eventually a restaurant.—
Janice Phelan,
Kansas City Star,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Led off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/led%20off. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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