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
Relevance
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
Camillie Bened led off for France, but one penalty loop during her standing shoot set the team back to 16th place.
—
ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
The dog was found alive and was led off the mountain by rangers, officials said, but poor weather conditions initially prevented crews from recovering the hiker’s body.
—Ashley Carnahan, FOXNews.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Brixton Lofgren gave up a two-out RBI single to Dom Patrizi in the sixth to plate Raffaele Rogers, who led off the inning with a walk.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 14 Feb. 2026
Grahovac led off the inning with a ground-rule double.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 14 Feb. 2026
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
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
ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
The dog was found alive and was led off the mountain by rangers, officials said, but poor weather conditions initially prevented crews from recovering the hiker’s body.
—Ashley Carnahan, FOXNews.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Brixton Lofgren gave up a two-out RBI single to Dom Patrizi in the sixth to plate Raffaele Rogers, who led off the inning with a walk.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 14 Feb. 2026
Grahovac led off the inning with a ground-rule double.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 14 Feb. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for led off
Verb
-
Sunday’s border battle at Wisconsin began in an inauspicious manner for the Minnesota women’s basketball team.—
Staff Report,
Twin Cities,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Just hours after bombs began raining down on Oahu, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941, two FBI agents arrived unannounced at Nikki Nojima Louis’ home in Seattle’s Japantown.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As previously reported by FN, Pedro García’s 100th anniversary celebrations commenced in 2025 with a range of endeavors including a special capsule collection called Essentia, in-store pop-ins, the aforementioned commemorative book and a series of exclusive events.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Tied heavily to the moon's phases, the Lunar New Year has commenced this week as adherents usher in the Year of the Horse with a variety of cultural traditions.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Minnesota started slow and trailed the host Badgers 18-8 late in the first quarter.—
Staff Report,
Twin Cities,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Shiffrin got off to another slow start at these Winter Games, finishing 11th in the giant slalom and fourth in the team combined.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
San Diego’s three NCAA Division I baseball teams got off to strong starts over the weekend.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The company originates from a small tea shop in Taiwan opened in 1996 by a man named Zhen-hua Wu.—
Ernestine Siu,
CNBC,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Koda Holeman opened the match by defeating Jeremiah Reno by technical fall 17-2.—
Michael Harley,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Led off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/led%20off. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
