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
Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2026
On Wednesday, April 22, Sagal and the chorus kick off a limited run at the Hudson Theatre in Los Angeles that wraps up Saturday, May 2.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 24 Apr. 2026
Michael Schneider, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026
Jonathan David headed Juventus into an early lead, within 90 seconds of kickoff.
—ABC News, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for kick off
Verb
If summiting a volcano sounds like a bold way to kick off your Japan itinerary, that climbing window is worth planning around.
—Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2026
On Wednesday, April 22, Sagal and the chorus kick off a limited run at the Hudson Theatre in Los Angeles that wraps up Saturday, May 2.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
The Dodger Stadium kickoff will include other moments besides the drone show to mark the show’s 25th anni, with additional details to come.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026
Jonathan David headed Juventus into an early lead, within 90 seconds of kickoff.
—ABC News, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for kick off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kick off
Verb
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Construction will begin this summer on a new weight room that should help.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
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The greatest tornado potential is centered on Sunday over Kansas, where strong storms are expected to begin firing off around noon local time on Sunday, ahead of the severe weather developing later in the afternoon.—
Kyle Reiman,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In 2019, Elisa Serna died at the Las Colinas women’s jail after a doctor and nurse left her alone after watching her collapse.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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That’s the year the Boston Marathon suffered a terrorist attack in which three people died and hundreds more were injured.—
Cressida Leyshon,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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His campaign, however, raised just over $1 million since the beginning of the year — placing him sixth in the fundraising race among the eight leading candidates.—
Grace Hase,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
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Meanwhile, today is the beginning of a six-year window that will impact your private world.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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,
15 May 2026
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That process started with those trades and continued into free agency, when Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn prioritized veteran players to help guide a young roster.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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His portfolio fell 44% in the dot-com crash, and sustained a 40% loss in 2008.—
Terry Savage,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
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Lee then came up to the plate and fell behind in the count 1-2.—
Tony Gleason,
Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Former President Bill Clinton will deliver the keynote speech for the commencement ceremony next month at the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service.—
Daniel McFadin,
Arkansas Online,
23 Apr. 2026
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Twins Matt and Ross Duffer, 42, hail from the university’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts — Class of 2007 — and during the commencement ceremony at Wilson Field in Orange, will receive honorary doctorates.—
Victoria Le,
Oc Register,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Another round of layoffs commenced in March and affected hundreds of employees working in a variety of units, including Facebook, Reality Labs, global operations and sales.—
Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2026
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Installation activities have officially commenced for newcleo’s PRECURSOR facility at the ENEA-Brasimone Research Centre.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Indeed, emerging evidence suggests that early detection and aggressive treatment of psychiatric symptoms may improve long-term outcomes by delaying the onset of clinical neurodegeneration and mitigating the cumulative biological stress that accelerates brain aging.—
Eric J. Nestler,
STAT,
28 Apr. 2026
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Now, three years after the initial onset of symptoms, Mollie uses a wheelchair and crutches daily and was forced to move in with their father.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kick off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kick%20off. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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