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 After Phillies starter Jesús Luzardo threw a nine-pitch, 1-2-3 first inning, Dubón started a rally by leading off the second inning with a double into the corner in left field. — Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 29 Sep. 2026 Cleveland's Daniel Schneeman hit his seventh home run leading off the third inning, tying the game 1-all. — ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026 And Ohtani slid into the Dodgers’ lineup, hitting second in the batting order for the first time this season, with Mookie Betts leading off against the Padres southpaw. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026 Tommy White homered for the A's leading off the third, a 347-footer to the left-field corner. — CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026 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 The Sox trailed 2-0 in the seventh when Vargas walked leading off the inning. — Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leading off
  1. beginning
  2. commencing
  3. starting
  4. getting off
  5. opening
Verb
  • Young professionals often have multiple financial priorities, such as beginning to invest, paying off student loans, employee benefits, buying a first home, and saving for a wedding or starting a family.
    — Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,Kelli Grant, CFP®, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Korean star Han Ji-min accepted The Hollywood Reporter’s Trailblazer Award at a glitzy gala high above Busan on Wednesday night, promising that her creative journey was only just beginning.
    — Mathew Scott, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of beginning
Verb
  • The film will shoot on location at the heart of Pendle in Lancashire, with principal photography commencing end of September.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2026
  • The fourth-round tie will not be played until the week commencing October 26.
    — Simon Johnson, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of commencing
Verb
  • And starting next year, the league wants to introduce a form of re-seeding in the playoffs.
    — Evan Drellich, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Katseye member Sophia Laforteza will resume activities with the group starting the first week of January 2027, according to a notice posted to their social media accounts.
    — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of starting
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Kyler Murray’s return gives the Vikings a boost against a Bucs defense that has had problems getting off the field.
    — Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 25 Sep. 2026
  • In August, when service was disrupted, Brannon sat on the train for more than three hours before getting off and requesting an Uber, which costs significantly more money.
    — Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of getting off
Verb
  • So the White House Historical Association set about recreating the Oval Office, opening the exhibit in September 2024.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Cosmic Talents, which represents leading international heads of department, is opening a London office.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 5 Oct. 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 9 Oct. 2026.

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