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Showing results for lead off. Search instead for led off.
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.

It was the lead-off single to “Parade,” the full soundtrack album to Prince’s 1986 vanity lap “Under the Cherry Moon,” in which he directed and starred, and premiered months after “Kiss” became a hit.

From Salon • Feb. 14, 2026

The 19-year-old Pan swam the fastest 100 in history with a time of 46.80 seconds in the lead-off leg of China’s gold medal-winning 4×100 relay team.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 15, 2024

Luis Rengifo contributed to the Angels’ scoring tally, hitting a lead-off home run in the first and finishing two for four at the plate.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 5, 2023

Gavin Dugas hit a home run in the fourth inning and Josh Pearson hit a lead-off homer to spark a six-run bottom of the fifth that gave LSU a 12-0 lead.

From Washington Times • Jun. 11, 2023

As regards “points” it is well to lunge out, as one does when making a left-handed lead-off in boxing, so as to gain somewhat in the reach.

From Broad-Sword and Single-Stick With Chapters on Quarter-Staff, Bayonet, Cudgel, Shillalah, Walking-Stick, Umbrella and Other Weapons of Self-Defence by Headley, Rowland George Allanson Allanson-Winn, Baron

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.