1
as in to begin
to take the first step in (a process or course of action)
I'll kick off the discussion on ethics with this question
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to die
slang
to stop living
surprisingly, the recluse was worth a cool million when he kicked off
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in beginning
the point at which something begins
a political cycle in which an election marks not only the end of one campaign but also the kickoff for the next one
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of kick off
Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Mardi Gras krewes including Uong’s own Chaissez Ladies sisterhood are planning soirées to kick off Carnival.
—Beth D'addono, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025
Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 4 Sep. 2025
Whether you’re locked into your fantasy lineup or just here for the snacks and Swift sightings, here are 5 things to know ahead of kickoff this weekend.
—Sarah Hutter, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kick off
Verb
The Cowboys and Eagles opened the 2025-26 NFL regular season on Thursday, with the defending champions winning 24-20 over Dallas, and now the first Sunday slate of games is set to kick off.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Mardi Gras krewes including Uong’s own Chaissez Ladies sisterhood are planning soirées to kick off Carnival.
—Beth D'addono, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
Redshirt senior Luke Voorhees also had one kickoff return for six yards.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 4 Sep. 2025
Whether you’re locked into your fantasy lineup or just here for the snacks and Swift sightings, here are 5 things to know ahead of kickoff this weekend.
—Sarah Hutter, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kick off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kick off
Verb
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Because, immediately, journeyman Jones threw five passes on the first five plays to began attacking the NFL’s weakest starting cornerbacks — a situation too obvious for the club to have gone the entire offseason not doing enough to remedy.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
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To counter the explosive projectiles, Russian tank crews began mounting homemade cages above their turrets to cushion the tanks from blasts.—
Marco Hernandez,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Good Fortune follows Reeves as an angel, Gabriel, tasked by his boss, Martha (Sandra Oh), with stopping humans from dying while texting and driving.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Sep. 2025
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The fact that babies and toddlers continue to die from ingesting fentanyl will likely come up in a meeting next month.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The bill replaces the state’s once-a-year test with three shorter exams, to be given at the beginning, middle and end of the school year.—
Silas Allen,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Sep. 2025
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From the very beginning of launching her brand, Mutayo set her sights on the world stage.—
Ugonnaora Owoh,
Essence,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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His convictions in the county date back almost 40 years, starting with a burglary in 1986.—
Chris Spargo,
People.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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What started as a one-off Eventbrite invitation to a pop-up called Mic Drop Workshop has, seven years later, grown into the leading pipeline of women speakers ready for the stage; and the first stop for event planners eager to bring more female voices to the mic.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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National Weather Service meteorologists consider forecasting waterspouts during the late summer and fall whenever large, cool air masses overspread the waters of the Great Lakes.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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The Department of Buildings told CBS News New York and News 12 Long Island that a 10-by-10-inch section of the ceiling collapsed due to possible water damage, and pieces of the building fell on customers dining inside.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Graduates at the University of Toledo commencement ceremony are seen in Toledo, Ohio, on May 5, 2018.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
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Gold prices have risen by nearly a third this year, hitting new heights with the commencement of a trade war.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Subsequently, Liddell highlights the importance of entrepreneurs commencing their journey with clear goals in place.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
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Walt Disney Imagineering did not share when these updates would commence.—
Megan duBois,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The figure indicated the largest number of job cuts in the month of August since 2020, which coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
4 Sep. 2025
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Drought can delay the onset of color, while moist soil, in tandem with the right late-summer weather, produces good displays, Crick wrote.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Kick off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kick%20off. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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