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
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Recent Examples of kicked off
The first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup also kicked off the FIFA Fan Festival at Fair Park in Dallas.
—
Cal Phillips
june 11, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 June 2026
That kicked off a 13-0 run for the Knicks, who went on to outscore the Spurs 55-25 from that point on.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 11 June 2026
Kelce’s back in Kansas City for the Chiefs’ mandatory minicamp, which, per ESPN, kicked off on June 9 and concluded on Thursday, June 11.
—Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 11 June 2026
Cast members from Taylor Sheridan’s Landman and The Madison crossed paths at Paramount+’s All Trails Lead Here event celebrating the two award-contending television shows that take place in Sheridan’s broader western universe that kicked off with Yellowstone.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 4 June 2026
The 16,000-seat open air venue kicked off its season officially with a performance by Kesha, who played her 2010s hits to fans in the pit, VIP seating, a general admission lawn and more.
—Emily Curiel
june 4, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2026
But Democrats' gambit to eliminate the fund failed in a 49 to 50 vote on an amendment that kicked off the vote series.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 4 June 2026
As the 2024 holiday season kicked off, Zaya and her dad got all dressed up for the grand opening of Revolve's Holiday Shop at The Grove.
—Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
Paltrow kicked off summer with a classic yet cool button-down shirtdress; the polished though not too formal look felt perfect for the office.
—Kaelin Dodge, InStyle, 29 May 2026
Cal Phillips
june 11, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 June 2026
That kicked off a 13-0 run for the Knicks, who went on to outscore the Spurs 55-25 from that point on.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 11 June 2026
Kelce’s back in Kansas City for the Chiefs’ mandatory minicamp, which, per ESPN, kicked off on June 9 and concluded on Thursday, June 11.
—Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 11 June 2026
Cast members from Taylor Sheridan’s Landman and The Madison crossed paths at Paramount+’s All Trails Lead Here event celebrating the two award-contending television shows that take place in Sheridan’s broader western universe that kicked off with Yellowstone.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 4 June 2026
The 16,000-seat open air venue kicked off its season officially with a performance by Kesha, who played her 2010s hits to fans in the pit, VIP seating, a general admission lawn and more.
—Emily Curiel
june 4, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2026
But Democrats' gambit to eliminate the fund failed in a 49 to 50 vote on an amendment that kicked off the vote series.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 4 June 2026
As the 2024 holiday season kicked off, Zaya and her dad got all dressed up for the grand opening of Revolve's Holiday Shop at The Grove.
—Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
Paltrow kicked off summer with a classic yet cool button-down shirtdress; the polished though not too formal look felt perfect for the office.
—Kaelin Dodge, InStyle, 29 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicked off
Verb
-
The Hurricanes began to assume control of the series after falling behind by the score of 4-0 in Game 3.—
Mark Anderson,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
-
Trump’s birthday began with a new round of Israeli military strikes in Beirut, which the country said was in response to projectiles fired by the militant group Hezbollah at Israel.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Refracted through the lens of the 2018 killing of one of Clemmons’s few Black peers in tony Swarthmore public schools, the essay reflects on the consequences of systemic disinvestment in Chester, the nearby majority-Black city where Robbie was born, taught, and died.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
The medical examiner determined Leyden died from blunt force trauma to the head and other physical injuries.—
Katie Houlis,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
In the 20th century, Germany and Japan had just invaded Poland and China and commenced expanding their territory while eliminating the resident populations.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
12 June 2026
-
As graduations commenced and the last day of school rolled around, families celebrated by indulging in a good meal at some popular Fort Worth restaurants.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
And those are the lucky ones, who weren’t felled by late-season injuries and bumped from the tournament the way Brazil’s Rodrygo, Japan’s Kaoru Mitoma and Germany’s Serge Gnabry were.—
Luke Cyphers,
Sportico.com,
11 June 2026
-
There was also a giant tree stretching across Laflin Street about a block from the scene of the fire, after being felled by the storms on Wednesday.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Verb
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One last comeback The Spurs started the fourth quarter by rebuilding their lead – a huge dunk by Wembanayama extended the lead to a nine-point margin with 10 minutes to go.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
-
The grounds crew got the tarp down just before the rain started pouring a few minutes later.—
Sarah Spencer,
AJC.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
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One of the protagonists of Portugal’s Nations League triumph was Diogo Jota, who passed away alongside his brother in a tragic car accident last year.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
-
The Buffaloes are, as promised by promoters, a power conference foe for the Aztecs in the inaugural game honoring San Diego native Bill Walton, who passed away in May 2024.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 June 2026
Verb
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It's been a number of weeks since a family friendly film opened wide, and with summer upon us, that makes for a majorly underserved market raring to return to theaters.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
14 June 2026
-
Then, in July 2024, after sharing her family's story on TikTok, an unexpected message opened the door to a new way of keeping their mother close.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
14 June 2026
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
Cite this Entry
“Kicked off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicked%20off. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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