as in first
coming before all others in time or order
the leadoff batter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Greg Rosenstein, NBC News, 2 Jan. 2025
There were seemingly more issues in the fifth when Jesse Winker led off with a single to right, then Jose Iglesias singled to center as Winker rounded second and slowed halfway toward third.
—Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2024
Jose Trevino will lead off the bottom of the third.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 29 Oct. 2024
Cincinnati took advantage of the turnover and took a 24-17 lead off a 1-yard plunge from quarterback Joe Burrow.
—Ryan McFadden, The Denver Post, 28 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for leadoff 
Verb
Quincy Wilson led off the first heat of the 4x400-meter relay for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games.
—Greg Rosenstein, NBC News, 2 Jan. 2025
There were seemingly more issues in the fifth when Jesse Winker led off with a single to right, then Jose Iglesias singled to center as Winker rounded second and slowed halfway toward third.
—Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2024
Jose Trevino will lead off the bottom of the third.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 29 Oct. 2024
Cincinnati took advantage of the turnover and took a 24-17 lead off a 1-yard plunge from quarterback Joe Burrow.
—Ryan McFadden, The Denver Post, 28 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for leadoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leadoff
Adjective
-
Both of their first court appearances are scheduled for Saturday morning, jail records show.—
Silas Morgan,
Orlando Sentinel,
25 Jan. 2025
-
Sutton was the first D.C. police officer to be convicted of murder for conduct while on duty.—
Janelle Griffith,
NBC News,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
From terminating federal diversity programs, to deporting immigrants on military aircraft, President Trump aggressively begins his first week back in office with a blitz of executive actions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Jan. 2025
-
But with the league’s toughest remaining schedule, the true test of their mettle is just beginning.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
26 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The initial court ruled in favor of Chylak in October 2024.—
Hikmat Mohammed,
WWD,
17 Jan. 2025
-
After the flight from Cleveland, Mahomes headed to the Chiefs’ training facility for treatment and an initial flexibility assessment.—
Nate Taylor,
The Athletic,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The 200-lap feature race will commence with the winners of the heat races setting the tone; Heat 1's victor will claim the pole position, with subsequent heat winners following suit in the lineup.—
John Yoo and John Shu,
Newsweek,
24 Jan. 2025
-
The live presentation will commence at 5:30 a.m. PT and will stream live on Oscar.com and Oscars.org in addition to the Academy’s TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube platforms.—
Matt Minton,
Variety,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
With just one round of fixtures remaining of the inaugural 36-team Champions League league phase, two-thirds of the competition are still awaiting their fate.—
Thom Harris,
The Athletic,
23 Jan. 2025
-
Several Reddit communities have recently proposed and enacted bans on links to X, formerly known as Twitter, over a controversy involving a gesture made by the social media platform's majority shareholder, Elon Musk, at an inaugural event on Monday.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA TODAY,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The artists will play the music of Bread at 6 p.m., and then the music of Heart at 7 p.m. The combined group of Ash and Chloe and the Mondays starts at 8 p.m. Reds, Whites and Brews is at 629 Main St., Suite B. Tickets are on sale now.—
Regina Elling,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Jan. 2025
-
Jimenez-Rico’s family had just returned home from a trip to Mexico when his dad and sister, 22-year-old Jocelyn Jimenez, started criticizing him about dirty dishes, according to records obtained by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.—
Mitchell Willetts,
Kansas City Star,
28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket streaks into orbit after launching from the Kennedy Space Center on its maiden flight, at Cape Canaveral, Florida on January 16, 2025.—
Michael Sheetz,
CNBC,
21 Jan. 2025
-
The favourite to replace him is ex-Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso, who is considered to be one of Europe's hottest tacticians for winning Bayer Leverkusen its maiden Bundesliga crown in 2023/2024.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The original tranche of restrictions passed council 7-1.—
Annika Merrilees,
Sacramento Bee,
25 Jan. 2025
-
Also want to say a huge thank you to Sheriff Leonard! ♬ original sound – Jelly Roll The men jogged into place.—
Mankaprr Conteh,
Rolling Stone,
25 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near leadoff
Cite this Entry
“Leadoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leadoff. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share