as in began
to take the first step in (a process or course of action)
plans to lead off the news conference with a prepared statement
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Recent Examples of led off
Although Gavin Sheets led off the inning with a double down the left-field line, Santillan got a pop-up in the infield for the first out, keeping pinch-runner Jose Iglesias at second base.
—
C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
Bryce Teodosio, who led off the inning with a triple, came home to score.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025
Jordan Beck led off with a walk, stole second, advanced to third on a flyout and then scored on Kyle Farmer’s sacrifice fly.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 9 Sep. 2025
Tatis led off the sixth with a single against Scott Barlow.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2025
Teel led off the seventh with a home run, his fifth of the season.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
After Profar led off with a walk, Matt Olson smashed Gusto’s 79 mph curveball 426 feet to center for a 3-0 lead.
—Steve Gorten, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2025
Matos led off the seventh inning with a walk and was later able to steal second base.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 23 Aug. 2025
C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
Bryce Teodosio, who led off the inning with a triple, came home to score.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025
Jordan Beck led off with a walk, stole second, advanced to third on a flyout and then scored on Kyle Farmer’s sacrifice fly.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 9 Sep. 2025
Tatis led off the sixth with a single against Scott Barlow.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2025
Teel led off the seventh with a home run, his fifth of the season.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
After Profar led off with a walk, Matt Olson smashed Gusto’s 79 mph curveball 426 feet to center for a 3-0 lead.
—Steve Gorten, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2025
Matos led off the seventh inning with a walk and was later able to steal second base.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 23 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for led off
Verb
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Kirk began taking questions, first one about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Utah’s dominant religion, then another by a liberal TikTok user having to do with transgender people and gun violence.—
Rick Jervis,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
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The drive began well with a 35-yard pass from Taylen Green to Jaden Platt, but stalled quickly.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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By the time the impeachment trial commenced, the top-down pressure from prominent, national Republicans could be seen and felt.—
Kimberly Ross,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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Littell would finish six innings before the battle of the bullpens commenced.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When Zuckerberg started talking, Boz's glasses began displaying subtitles.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
18 Sep. 2025
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While the Valkyries started the game well, holding a 28-21 lead after the first quarter, the offense fell apart the rest of the way.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Patriots and Dolphins both got off to disappointing starts.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
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New plans were filed, yet the project never got off the ground and the building sat vacant.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Golden Bears opened the 2024 season by beating UC Davis 31-13, Auburn 21-14 and SDSU 31-10.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Sep. 2025
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The Times Square location, on the northeast corner of 7th Avenue and 47th Street, marks the second permanent outpost for Central Perk, which opened in Boston in 2023.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Led off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/led%20off. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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