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
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
De La Cruz sliced an opposite-field hit to right field to score Matt McLain, who walked leading off the inning against Robert Garcia (0-1) and stole second base.
—CBS News, 5 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
The Bulldogs struck in the fourth inning, leading off with two consecutive singles.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 21 Feb. 2026
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
De La Cruz sliced an opposite-field hit to right field to score Matt McLain, who walked leading off the inning against Robert Garcia (0-1) and stole second base.
—CBS News, 5 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
The Bulldogs struck in the fourth inning, leading off with two consecutive singles.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 21 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leading off
Verb
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Rob Carr / Getty Images Before starting her stable, DeVaux climbed her way up the ranks, beginning as a stable worker for the late Chuck Simon before becoming an assistant trainer for Chad Brown.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC news,
3 May 2026
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So did progressive anthropologists, who were finally beginning to understand the particularity, complexity, and, above all, the contemporaneity of tribal cultures.—
Glenn Adamson,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
Verb
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Earlier this year, the company announced a publishing administration partnership with 16-time Grammy Award-winner — and Variety’s Hitmakers 2025 songwriter of the year — Bruno Mars, commencing upon the completion of his current deal with BMG/Warner Chappell.—
Andrew Flanagan,
Variety,
28 Apr. 2026
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But soon after pouring millions into upgrading the hydro facility, the company shuttered its Cheboygan operation in 1990, eliminating 300 jobs and commencing the slow decline of the historic mill.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The question becomes what to do with the others, starting with Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
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The bill would invoke its restrictions in stages, starting with software and vehicle rules in 2027 and adding hardware rules in 2030.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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However, Boettcher is a bit on the smaller side compared to the other available prospects, which could hinder him in getting off block attempts.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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Grapevine surges from behind, falls short Lake Creek provided most of the pressure early in the match, keeping the ball in Grapevine’s end and getting off six shots before the Mustangs started pressing in the 26th minute.—
Charles Baggarly & Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After opening the season with three wins and a solid fourth outing in a Rays victory, Matz had a rough start on April 21 against the Reds, allowing three home runs and lasting only three innings.—
Marc Topkin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
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The bill would not ban the cards but would restrict how and when health care providers are able to offer them to patients in hopes of ensuring customers are aware of their terms and not pushed into opening them.—
Kaitlin McCallum,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leading off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leading%20off. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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