Definitions

lead off

[leed-awf, -of] / ˈlidˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

ADJECTIVE

first

Synonyms

STRONGEST

early

STRONG

aboriginal antecedent anterior basic beginning cardinal front fundamental head inaugural initial key leading opening original pioneer premier primary prime primitive

WEAK

elementary first off headmost in the beginning inceptive incipient introductory number one numero uno primeval primogenial primordial pristine right up front rudimentary

Antonyms

STRONGEST

last

STRONG

ending extra final following second

VERB

break the ice

Synonyms

WEAK

be friendly and talkative break ground cut the first turf get one's feet wet lay the first stone lead the way make a start oil the works open the way pave the way set at ease smooth the path socialize start start the ball rolling take the plunge

VERB

commence

Synonyms

STRONGEST

begin inaugurate initiate launch take up

STRONG

arise open originate

WEAK

come into being come into existence embark on enter upon get cracking get going get one's feet wet get show on road hit the ground running jump into kick off start the ball rolling tear into

Antonyms

STRONGEST

close complete conclude end finish stop

WEAK

cease

VERB

enter

Synonyms

STRONGEST

begin join open start

STRONG

commence enlist enroll inaugurate muster subscribe

WEAK

become member commit oneself get oneself into join up participate in set about set out on set to sign on sign up take up tee off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

complete conclude die end finish

STRONG

avoid dodge stop

WEAK

abstain delete depart erase exit forget go leave refrain withdraw

VERB

introduce

Synonyms

STRONGEST

announce offer open propose recommend submit suggest

STRONG

acquaint advance air broach familiarize harbinger herald moot originate precede preface usher ventilate

WEAK

bring out bring up come out with do the honors fix up get things rolling get-together give introduction kick off knock down lead into open up pave the way put forward set forth spring with start ball rolling

Antonyms

STRONGEST

conceal deny dissuade hide refuse withhold

STRONG

close close up end finish

WEAK

erase extract subtract take away

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And that it was his at-bat to lead off the eighth — a full-count single the other way, into right field — that Roberts had to mention postgame.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

Alexis Monney was the first of the Swiss quartet to tackle the Stelvio, immediately taking the lead off Austria's Daniel Hemetsberger.

From Barron's • Feb. 7, 2026

Freddie Freeman slammed a walk-off homer to lead off the bottom of the 18th, putting the finishing touch on one of the weirdest, wackiest, most mind-numbing contests ever staged in the Fall Classic.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 28, 2025

Snell yielded only one baserunner over eighth innings — Caleb Durbin, who singled to lead off the third inning.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 13, 2025

With each group came cries of relief, relatives diving under the rope to lead off their husbands, wives, children, parents, siblings.

From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins

lead off

Example Sentences

Related Words