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
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Recent Examples of leadoff
Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
Alex Verdugo will lead off the bottom of the fourth for the Yanks.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 30 Oct. 2024
With PulteGroup leading off this earnings report season, their negative comments could be a forewarning of more reality adjustments ahead.
—John S. Tobey, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024
The Canucks’ woes lead off our look at the midseason concern-o-meter™.
—Shayna Goldman, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for leadoff 
Verb
Flanked by Hamas militants, the four Israeli soldiers smiled and waved from a stage in Gaza City's Palestine Square before being led off to Red Cross.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
Alex Verdugo will lead off the bottom of the fourth for the Yanks.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 30 Oct. 2024
With PulteGroup leading off this earnings report season, their negative comments could be a forewarning of more reality adjustments ahead.
—John S. Tobey, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024
The Canucks’ woes lead off our look at the midseason concern-o-meter™.
—Shayna Goldman, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for leadoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leadoff
Adjective
-
Maryland trailed 22-15 after the first quarter then trimmed that deficit to just two entering halftime, erasing its slow start by closing the half on a 7-0 run and making its eventual comeback more manageable.—
Taylor Lyons,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Feb. 2025
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With consumer spending making up about two-thirds of all economic activity in the U.S., the sales numbers indicate a potential weakening in growth for the first quarter.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Ovechkin began this season with 853 goals — 41 shy of Gretzky’s 894 — and got off to a great start before missing time with an injury in December and slowing down a bit since his return.—
Dom Luszczyszyn,
The Athletic,
7 Feb. 2025
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The curtains to the execution chamber closed at 6:29 p.m. Corrections Commissioner John Hamm said the gas flowed for 18 minutes, and that monitoring equipment showed Frazier's heartbeat stopped 13 minutes after the process began.—
Kristan Hawkins,
Newsweek,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The initial deadline Thursday was postponed until Monday because of the court battle.—
Bart Jansen,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
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Taylor is wearing the T initial chain from the Grammys as a necklace vs her upper thigh!—
Megan McCluskey,
TIME,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
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There are plenty of reasons for optimism with the Patriots including new coach Mike Vrabel and the roster rebuild that could soon commence as a result of the Pats having more cap space than any other team.—
Chad Graff,
The Athletic,
18 Feb. 2025
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The deal commences with Lionsgate’s 2026 theatrical releases and also includes the studio’s 2025 slate and a commitment for licensing library movies and TV.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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And in January 1949, in his inaugural speech at the White House, President Harry Truman laid the groundwork for the first global U.S. foreign aid program.—
Isabelle Mayault,
The Dial,
13 Feb. 2025
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Unrivaled will crown a winner of its inaugural 1-on-1 tournament Friday, the latest innovation from a league already well ahead of its competitors.—
C. Isaiah Smalls II,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The Senate Budget Committee plans to start working on Graham's proposal next Wednesday.—
Riley Beggin,
USA TODAY,
10 Feb. 2025
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TikTok does not operate a U.S. ad library that would include information about when the ads started, or how much YouTube has paid for them.—
Alexandra S. Levine Bloomberg News (WPNS),
arkansasonline.com,
9 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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This was one of their departure numbers — a maiden voyage of a work leading to future ports of entry.—
Colin Fleming,
New York Daily News,
14 Feb. 2025
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As TVLine exclusively reported, the second half Doctor Odyssey’s maiden voyage will see the return of country music icon Shania Twain as widowed passenger Heather, who cozied up to Don Johnson’s Captain Massey during Singles Week.—
Andy Swift,
TVLine,
11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The film also won best actor for Brody at the BAFTAs, as well as best cinematography and best original score.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA TODAY,
19 Feb. 2025
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The original intent of IDEA—systematic services for students with disabilities—was vital, but its execution has become mired in bureaucracy, inefficiency, and mixed outcomes.—
Scott White,
Forbes,
18 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near leadoff
Cite this Entry
“Leadoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leadoff. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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