as in beginning
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 leading off
Devers homered for the fourth time this season, connecting against Carmen Mlodzinski (2-3) leading off the bottom half to tie it.
—
CBS News, 9 May 2026
Schmitt’s homer, his third of the year, came two batters after Matt Chapman had doubled leading off the sixth.
—Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
Then struck out again leading off the top of the fifth inning.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2026
Murakami homered again on Saturday, this time leading off the seventh inning.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Shortstop Gunnar Henderson homered for Baltimore in the third inning, his sixth of the season, and Jeremiah Jackson hit a solo shot off reliever Caleb Killian leading off the seventh.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2026
Neto added a solo shot leading off the ninth inning for his second extra base hit of the night.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
Gleyber Torres walked leading off the seventh against loser Michael Lorenzen, and Jackson Chourio’s two-out single put runners at the corners.
—Dallas Morning News, 17 Mar. 2026
CBS News, 9 May 2026
Schmitt’s homer, his third of the year, came two batters after Matt Chapman had doubled leading off the sixth.
—Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
Then struck out again leading off the top of the fifth inning.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2026
Murakami homered again on Saturday, this time leading off the seventh inning.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Shortstop Gunnar Henderson homered for Baltimore in the third inning, his sixth of the season, and Jeremiah Jackson hit a solo shot off reliever Caleb Killian leading off the seventh.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2026
Neto added a solo shot leading off the ninth inning for his second extra base hit of the night.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
Gleyber Torres walked leading off the seventh against loser Michael Lorenzen, and Jackson Chourio’s two-out single put runners at the corners.
—Dallas Morning News, 17 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leading off
Verb
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The affected items were on shelves beginning on May 4, the FDA said.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
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While there are still plenty of notable Air Jordan releases on the way in 2026, next year’s lineup is already beginning to take shape.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
16 May 2026
Verb
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The 79th annual Cannes Film Festival is around the corner, commencing May 13 with the opening ceremony at the Palais des Festivals in the south of France.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
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This is the phase of the project that’s now commencing.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Winston makes a cameo to execute another electric Ford Field trick play, and the Giants lose a close one with their offense starting to find a new gear.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
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Even with the regular season a few months away from starting, this week has been full of drama.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
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After getting off to a strong start in a wacky first period, the Sabres had a 3-2 lead at the first intermission.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
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The 15-time major champion was spotted getting off his private plane Wednesday afternoon at Palm Beach International Airport after staying in Switzerland for several weeks.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
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His vision for opening software development to the masses turned his startup into a market leader in AI coding.—
Rebecca Fannin,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
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Sources said a video posted to an online gore site allegedly shows the suspects approaching the center and then opening fire, with a person believed to be suspect Clark wearing camouflage fatigues and a plate carrier.—
Emily Shapiro,
ABC News,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leading off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leading%20off. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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