LEAD OFF Synonyms: 95 Similar and Opposite Words

leadoff 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of leadoff

as in first

coming before all others in time or order the leadoff batter

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lead off

2 of 2

verb

ˈlēd-

as in to begin

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

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 leadoff

Adjective

Those four all ranked among the top 40 in baseball in non-leadoff plate appearances with the bases empty last season. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026

Verb

Caminero led off the Tampa Bay second with single off opener Shawn Armstrong, who took the loss in his second start in three games. — ABC News, 19 Oct. 2026 The score was tied 4-all when Milwaukee's David Hamilton was hit by a pitch from Brock Stewart to lead off the sixth. — CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for leadoff

Recent Examples of Synonyms for leadoff

Adjective

That the first foreign policy message after the victory went to Moscow, and through a Russian state outlet, says a good deal about where the new government’s instincts lie.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2026
After a short teaser clip lit up the internet with news of their return, Dead Man’s Bones—the duo of Ryan Gosling and Zach Shields—are officially back with their first new music in 17 years.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of first

Verb

By adjusting the distance between the tips, the team could stretch or compress the molecular structure, changing the voltage at which the current enhancement began.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
She eventually was promoted over to the ice cream machine—and began to grow fond of the adrenaline-like rush that can come with working in a restaurant.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of begin

Adjective

Court records show that the investigation into the initial allegations was inconclusive.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
The progress came roughly a year after the program received funding for its initial engineering, manufacturing and development phase.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of initial

Verb

Or to be up high and see that, down below, a town is just a grid spread out on a map and nothing more, a grid that flickers with lights that spark on as the darkness commences.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026
The process, in other words, commences with the industrial production of miniature supernovas.

— Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of commence

Adjective

Its inaugural recipient is Japanese film critic and international cinema advocate Sahoko Hata, whose career helped introduce landmark European films to Japanese audiences.

— Gavin Blair, HollywoodReporter, 26 Oct. 2026
The Cocktail Party makes its inaugural appearance in Atlanta on Saturday.

— Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of inaugural

Verb

Charlotte has many more chances to right its wrongs, of course, starting with home games Saturday and Monday.

— Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
And one health care consultancy that finds doctors and mental health care for wealthy families charges retainers starting at $30,000 for 50 hours.

— Molly A. Wallace, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of start

Adjective

Peacock’s maiden second-quarter profit was lifted by FIFA World Cup games, which contributed $440 million in incremental media revenues.

— Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026
After victories at Real Sociedad and at home against Sturm Graz, the English club faces its toughest challenge yet in its perfect maiden European campaign.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of maiden

Verb

Feeling like finding this 950-square-foot apartment was kismet, Miranda-Martin signed the lease and set about creating a sophisticated and color-saturated sanctuary.

— Marissa Gluck, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
As the team set about their usual high-performance recovery routines, blending active recovery, massages and refueling, a group of USMNT players partook in a different form of relaxation altogether.

— Adam Crafton, New York Times, 25 June 2026

Definition of set about

Browse Nearby Words

leadmen

leadoff

lead off

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Leadoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leadoff. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of leadoff

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes