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
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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
Gayle King, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
But there’s nothing keeping him from negotiating with House and Senate leaders on a more comprehensive bill with the protections Floridians need, then adding that issue to the special session that’s expected to kick off in April.
—Krys Fluker, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 16 Mar. 2026
Just hours before kickoff, Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti named Thiago in the squad for friendlies against France in Boston on March 26 and Croatia in Orlando four days later.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for kick off
Verb
Before the season kicked off, Jordan and 23XI Racing scored a settlement that could reshape the future of NASCAR, which is privately owned and controlled by the France family.
—Gayle King, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
But there’s nothing keeping him from negotiating with House and Senate leaders on a more comprehensive bill with the protections Floridians need, then adding that issue to the special session that’s expected to kick off in April.
—Krys Fluker, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
For marquee games, arriving well ahead of kickoff is the difference between a great experience and standing outside trying to see a screen through a window.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 16 Mar. 2026
Just hours before kickoff, Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti named Thiago in the squad for friendlies against France in Boston on March 26 and Croatia in Orlando four days later.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for kick off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kick off
Verb
-
Transportation Security Administration Officers began receiving their paychecks, which were not funded during an ongoing partial government shutdown.—
Marvin Hurst,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
In assessing a life prison term for DeAujalae Evans, the jury selected the most severe penalty for intoxication manslaughter causing the death of a peace officer, the offense to which Evan pleaded guilty as the jury began to hear evidence in the case of the death of Sgt.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated March 30,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The investigation is ongoing and the identities of the people who died have not been released.—
Brandon Downs,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
One infant receiving the Mead Johnson product died — from sepsis, the article said.—
David Hilzenrath,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The changes will take effect April 3, marking the beginning of Teel’s third stint as CEO of Raley’s.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
28 Mar. 2026
-
At the beginning of their time on the stand at the trial in which Evans pleaded guilty to intoxication manslaughter of a peace officer and elected to have a jury assess her punishment, the witnesses answered prosecutors’ introductory questions with flat speech.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated March 27,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Carolyn Hax started her Washington Post advice column in 1997, after five years on the Style desk and none as a therapist.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Fourteen months after Crow-Armstrong and the Cubs started contract discussions, the sides agreed to a six-year, $115 million extension through the 2032 season.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Night fell, and Martha came to a small black lake.—
Cassandra Neyenesch,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Photos shared on social media shows the massive slabs of rock fell just past a blind curve and the SUV sustained major front-end damage.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This year’s commencement ceremony will recognize more than 10,000 graduates from 18 degree-granting colleges and schools.—
SportsDay Staff,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Mar. 2026
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On March 5, Washington Square News editor Leena Ahmed broke the story that NYU has canceled all live student graduation speakers for all of its upcoming commencement and convocation ceremonies this spring.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The poll will run through Monday, March 30, and the next round of voting will commence on Wednesday, April 1.—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The personal injury trial commenced in late January in LA Superior Court.—
Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Farzin Nadimi, a senior fellow with the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, says despite the departure of American technicians after the revolution, the Iranians were able to quickly make the F-14s fully operational at the onset of the Iran-Iraq war.—
Scott Neuman,
NPR,
24 Mar. 2026
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But here at PCMag, the onset of spring means Amazon's annual end-of-March sale, which brings bountiful deals.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kick off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kick%20off. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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