start vs lead off

start is a noun but lead off is not a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
start	Yes	No	Yes	No
lead off	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, start and lead off are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of start include begin, commence.

As verbs, lead off is a hypernym of start; that is, lead off is a word with a broader meaning than start:

Other hypernyms of start include begin, commence, start.

start (noun)	lead off (noun)
the act of starting something
a sudden involuntary movement
a turn to be a starter (in a game at the beginning)
the advantage gained by beginning early (as in a race)
a signal to begin (as in a race)
the beginning of anything
a line indicating the location of the start of a race or a game
the time at which something is supposed to begin

start (verb)	lead off (verb)
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action	set in motion, cause to start
set in motion, cause to start	teach immoral behavior to
play in the starting lineup
bring into being
get off the ground
begin or set in motion
get going or set in motion
depart for someplace
bulge outward
move or jump suddenly, as if in surprise or alarm
begin work or acting in a certain capacity, office or job
begin an event that is implied and limited by the nature or inherent function of the direct object
have a beginning, in a temporal, spatial, or evaluative sense
have a beginning characterized in some specified way