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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of kick off
Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
The Fall-Off Tour kicks off in July.
—Angel Diaz, Billboard, 13 Mar. 2026
Taylor Haught, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
This year’s Leagues Cup kickoff times and broadcast details will be shared later.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for kick off
Verb
Though no one gets kicked off the island, there are other incentives.
—Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
The Fall-Off Tour kicks off in July.
—Angel Diaz, Billboard, 13 Mar. 2026
Noun
But between matches, before kickoff or after the final whistle, even the most hardcore supporters need a place to relax, stretch their legs and experience something beyond the stadium gates.
—Taylor Haught, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
This year’s Leagues Cup kickoff times and broadcast details will be shared later.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for kick off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kick off
Verb
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Richins, wearing a white blouse with pale blue and peach-colored flowers on it, looked down and began breathing heavily when the verdict was announced.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
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All three hits came Michael Lorenzen, who Italy manager Francisco Cervelli originally announced as the team’s starter for the semifinal before changing course and having Aaron Nola begin the game on the mound.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Twenty-three immigrants have already died in custody in the current fiscal year, putting it on pace to surpass the previous one, which had the highest number of deaths in immigration detention in decades.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2026
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He was transported to a nearby hospital and died from his injuries on March 10, officials said.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
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These are just the beginning of Nordstrom’s covetable spring fashion deals.—
Jordan Julian,
InStyle,
13 Mar. 2026
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Deerfield defender Addy Margulis figured the beginning of her high school soccer career would be uneventful, at least for her.—
Bobby Narang,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Sign up here to receive an email right as the chat is about to start.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
27 Mar. 2026
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By mid-April a lot of good could start to roll in.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The team with the worst record can fall no lower than fifth in the draft while the team with the fourth-worst record can fall as far as eighth.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
15 Mar. 2026
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Midway through the third quarter, Ralston Valley pushed the ball in transition with the Jaguars falling slightly out of control.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But unlike Hoosier fans, who historically only filled Memorial Stadium for spring commencement ceremonies, Nebraska fans have remained hopelessly devoted to their chronically underperforming team.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
13 Mar. 2026
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Erika Kirk, the CEO of Turning Point USA and widow of its founder, Charlie Kirk, will be the 2026 commencement speaker at Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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All changes take effect June 18 except for Cartagena, which commences June 11.—
Vinod Sreeharsha,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2026
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Spring football has commenced and reporters got a 35-minute window to watch Coleman and a host of new Longhorns who are out to make sure last season’s omission from the College Football Playoff was a one-off and not the start of a bad-for-business trend on the Forty.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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An example of this work from the Team Mutographs effort is a paper in the journal Nature on April 23 that looked for mutational signatures in early-onset colorectal cancer, which is increasing in many countries.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
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Ever rising taxes are a primary concern for voters, as the budget has ballooned since the onset of COVID-19.—
Juan Rangel,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kick off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kick%20off. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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