kicked off

verb

past tense of kick off
1
as in began
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 died
slang to stop living surprisingly, the recluse was worth a cool million when he kicked off

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of kicked off The attacks also coincide with the multi-day funeral for former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the joint US-Israel operation that kicked off the war. — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 9 July 2026 The Together, Together tour kicked off May 16 in Amsterdam for 10 concerts at the Johan Cruyff Arena before moving on to Wembley Stadium on June 12. — Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 8 July 2026 The Ultimate universe line of comics revamped Marvel's greatest heroes for the 21st century, kicked off by a Spidey series that modernized the classic '60s origin tale and revamped his longtime supporting characters. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 8 July 2026 The event kicked off with an elaborate opening ceremony at La Seine Musicale, featuring French artists and esports stars, and an official press conference at Hôtel de Ville. — Mike Stubbs, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 Alysa Guffey Twenty minutes of remonstrance kicked off, with a long line of people waiting for a chance to speak. — Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 July 2026 The round of 32 kicked off to a dramatic start, with Brazil coming from behind to beat Japan 2-1 before Paraguay eliminated Germany in penalty kicks Monday, in one of the most shocking upsets of the tournament so far. — Mason Leib, ABC News, 1 July 2026 Because the pop star, who kicked off her first concert Tuesday night at the Sunrise arena, was just forced to reschedule two stops (Brooklyn and Boston) on her Eternal Sunshine Tour, citing production challenges. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026 Now, as more people get kicked off of Medicaid, these centers won’t even get that compensation. — Alana Semuels, Time, 1 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicked off
  1. began
  2. died
  3. commenced
  4. fell
  5. started
  6. passed away
  7. opened
  8. checked out
Verb
  • The seventh began with Denzer Guzman reaching on catcher’s interference.
    — Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 10 July 2026
  • The work stoppage at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and MGB Home Care sites began Wednesday, when Massachusetts Nurses Association members voted to strike after months of contract negotiations failed.
    — Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 10 July 2026
Definition of began
Verb
  • When Khomeini died in 1989, Khamenei became his successor within a matter of weeks.
    — Xiaoqian Lin, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • At least 31 children died in hot cars in 2025, according to the National Safety Council and nine have died this year.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026
Definition of died
Verb
  • Jockeying has already commenced in the state for the person who might take up the mantle of Senate Democratic nominee, including among those who didn't secure the gubernatorial nomination.
    — Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 8 July 2026
  • On Thursday, the star and producer revealed that production has commenced on Fast Forever, which is set for a March 17, 2028 premiere, the 11th and final chapter in the $7 billion action franchise that launched with 2001’s The Fast and the Furious.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 4 July 2026
Definition of commenced
Verb
  • Countless trees were felled and taken to Eugene for processing in mills or floated up the Willamette to Portland, the sawn trunks chained together in massive, bobbing rafts.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
  • Messi had produced another vintage performance three weeks earlier, this time at the Nou Camp, where the Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng toppled over like a tree that had been felled.
    — Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 10 July 2026
Definition of fell
Verb
  • Lanageliers started the game at catcher and hit third in the lineup while the American League won a largely uneventful affair, 4-0, at Citizens Bank Park, home of the Phillies.
    — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
  • What started as a campaign to diminish Iran’s nuclear capabilities and weaken its global terror networks has morphed into a dispute over control of one of the world’s most important trade routes.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
Definition of started
Verb
  • Sadly, that latter group earns a new radio hit in America at nearly the same time that frontman and co-founding member Victor Willis passed away.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
  • Sarah finally passed away in 1998, six months after her son Lloyd’s death.
    — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 3 July 2026
Definition of passed away
Verb
  • The complex is owned by a real estate investment trust, Highlands REIT, and was opened in the 2000s.
    — Alan Gionet, CBS News, 14 July 2026
  • This was Charlesbank, which opened in 1891 and was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted as a satellite to his Emerald Necklace chain of parks in Boston and Brookline.
    — Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 13 July 2026
Definition of opened
Verb
  • Vegas played much of the night without center William Karlsson, who was being checked out on the bench for an apparent upper-body injury.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
  • Mac Jones did not throw Wednesday because of a sore shoulder that checked out clean and should be ready for training camp, which is expected to open July 25 or 26.
    — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 4 June 2026
Definition of checked out

Browse Nearby Words

kicked in
kicked off
kicked out
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Cite this Entry

“Kicked off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicked%20off. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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