leading off

verb

present participle of lead off
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 leading off Jackson Holliday singled leading off the eighth and, with one out, Basallo hit his first career pinch homer, a shot to center. — Harvey Valentine, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026 Tatis homered off starter Bailey Ober with one out in the third inning and again off Taylor Rogers leading off the eighth. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026 The Sox trailed 2-0 in the seventh when Vargas walked leading off the inning. — Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026 Elder bounced back from one of his worst starts of the season by allowing just four hits, including Gabriel Moreno's homer leading off the fourth that evened the score at 1. — CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026 Smith said that with South Carolina leading off and many Southern states following on Super Tuesday soon after the early lineup concludes, progressives will have to take the time to listen and then tailor their messages. — Mike Catalini, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026 Along the way, the Padres got a one-out double by Jake Cronenworth in the second inning, a one-out double by Ty France in the fourth, a double leading off the fifth by Freddy Fermin and another one-out double by France in the sixth. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2026 Misiorowski held the Cubs hitless before Seiya Suzuki homered leading off the fifth inning, and eventually exited after six innings with eight strikeouts, four walks, two hits and one earned run. — Devon Henderson, New York Times, 27 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leading off
  1. beginning
  2. commencing
  3. starting
  4. getting off
  5. opening
Verb
  • For Alexandre Gobillard, production director at the Gobillard & Fils Champagne house, beginning the harvest in mid-August was once almost unthinkable.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The sale officially runs from August 20 through September 3, following a three-day preview beginning August 17.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of beginning
Verb
  • Amanda Pedersen Giske / NTB/AFP via Getty Images The Norway squad touched down to a traditional water cannon salute before commencing their homecoming parade in the capital.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 14 July 2026
  • Following Samsung's typical pattern, pre-orders for the new devices, including the Z Fold 8, Z Flip 8, and the innovative Z Fold 8 Wide, are anticipated to open immediately on July 22, with sales likely commencing around Friday, August 7.
    — David Phelan, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of commencing
Verb
  • Though Derrick Moore had never played or coached the sport, that didn’t stop him from starting a team so the students could have an extracurricular activity to call their own.
    — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Higham rose to become Morris’ partner after starting as an intern.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of starting
Verb
  • In fact, a lot of them are going hard, getting off and feeling great doing it.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Thankfully, there are several good indie movies worth getting off your couch to see this year.
    — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of getting off
Verb
  • Brighton face Norwegian outfit Tromso in the play-off round over two legs either side of Sunday’s opening Premier League fixture at home to Aston Villa.
    — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • And since management changed a decade ago, Ortega, 59, said pungent smells on days the plant operates have prevented him from going outside or opening the windows.
    — Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of opening

Browse Nearby Words

leading men
leading off
leading on
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Cite this Entry

“Leading off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leading%20off. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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