LEADS OFF Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

leads off

verb

present tense third-person singular of lead off

as in begins

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 leads off Ohtani typically leads off but was dropped lower while struggling with injuries to his left knee and right biceps over the last few months that have prevented the two-way star from pitching since early July. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026 Baldwin leads off, and consistently sets the table for his teammates. — Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026 Deist leads off, followed by Battista and Tucker, with Devin Wheaton at cleanup. — Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2026 Vestal leads off with a single. — Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 6 Mar. 2026 After pitchers, catchers and several position players completed their physicals Wednesday, no storyline from the opening day of camp carried more weight than the one that leads off our first takeaways report from Yankees spring training. — Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026 As usual, the list of evils leads off with a medical procedure that is never directly condemned in the Bible — and is arguably even sanctioned in Jewish texts when a pregnancy threatens a woman’s health. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2026 Every Wednesday, Reid leads off the weekly news conference. — Sam McDowell 18, Kansas City Star, 18 Dec. 2025 Alex Bregman #2 of the Boston Red Sox leads off second base during the first inning of a game against the New York Yankees on September 14, 2025 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. — Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for leads off

Verb

Its arrival begins the process of turning a military transport into a specialized communications platform designed for one of America’s most critical defense missions.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
My latest stargazing obsession There's something special about stargazing during the blue hour — that brief transition when daylight drains from the sky and night's window begins to open.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of begins

Verb

The Clubhouse opens with more than 70 items for adults and kids, including a youth line of T-shirts, crewnecks and hoodies, as well as adult apparel, hats and collectibles.

— Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2026
What’s great about this is that the brief is very specific but opens it up to all sorts of interpretations.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of opens

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leads

leads off

leads on

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“Leads off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leads%20off. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of leads off

verb

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