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
Bo Bichette led off the bottom of the first with a home run against right-hander Zack Littell, and the Mets chased him from the game in the fourth inning.
—
Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
Tucker led off that inning with a double to right-center, moved to third on a ground out, then scored on Dalton Rushing’s two-strike single to right.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
Aranda led off against righty reliever Hunter Gaddis with a homer, his seventh of the season to boost his RBI total to 24, second most in the American League, and make the score 2-2.
—Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
Neto led off the game with a hit.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 27 Apr. 2026
With the game tied 3-3, Jung Hoo Lee led off the seventh with a bloop single to center off Andrew Nardi (1-1).
—CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Senior shortstop Cooper Page, who went 2-for-3 with three runs scored, led off with a seeing-eye single up the middle.
—Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Stanton led off the second with a towering shot to left, driving a 1-0 slider from Connelly Early (1-1) over the Green Monster for his third homer of the season and New York’s 19th in the last eight games.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
Newt Schroeder drove in the only run for Mineral Wells (14-9-2, 3-4) on a ground out in the fourth inning that plated Brogan Sims who had led off the inning with a single.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2026
Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
Tucker led off that inning with a double to right-center, moved to third on a ground out, then scored on Dalton Rushing’s two-strike single to right.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
Aranda led off against righty reliever Hunter Gaddis with a homer, his seventh of the season to boost his RBI total to 24, second most in the American League, and make the score 2-2.
—Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
Neto led off the game with a hit.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 27 Apr. 2026
With the game tied 3-3, Jung Hoo Lee led off the seventh with a bloop single to center off Andrew Nardi (1-1).
—CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Senior shortstop Cooper Page, who went 2-for-3 with three runs scored, led off with a seeing-eye single up the middle.
—Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Stanton led off the second with a towering shot to left, driving a 1-0 slider from Connelly Early (1-1) over the Green Monster for his third homer of the season and New York’s 19th in the last eight games.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
Newt Schroeder drove in the only run for Mineral Wells (14-9-2, 3-4) on a ground out in the fourth inning that plated Brogan Sims who had led off the inning with a single.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for led off
Verb
-
Safonov, who began his football career in Krasnodar’s academy aged 12, is not your typical footballer.—
Tom Burrows,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
China’s metals industry began this year with its biggest profits in at least a decade as soaring prices for aluminum and copper handed the sector a major boost.—
Bloomberg,
Bloomberg,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Her teammates intercepted her and commenced a celebration that finally elicited a Nelson smile.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
While most were silent, the few who traded muted pleasantries hushed as the homeowners of the Silver Court Trailer Park commenced their meeting.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 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,
15 May 2026
-
Then the Spurs started the third quarter half on a 13-0 run and erased that lead before the end of the quarter.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Arteaga reaches out to Cora Former Miami star and Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora was fired on Sunday after the Red Sox got off to a slow start to the season.—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Los Angeles got off to a fast start when Ohtani and Freeman opened the bottom of the first inning with consecutive singles.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Eagles opened the draft with two fourth-round picks.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
His office opened an investigation into the county assessment department in July 2023, according to the report.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Led off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/led%20off. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
