1
as in beginning
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 dying
slang
to stop living
surprisingly, the recluse was worth a cool million when he kicked off
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of kicking off
Dolly Parton delivered a candid health update while kicking off the 2026 season at Dollywood, revealing grief took a physical toll after the death of her husband of nearly six decades, Carl Dean.
—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 14 Mar. 2026
He is also set to embark on a massive tour that features residencies across the globe, kicking off May 16 in Amsterdam.
—Jodi Guglielmi, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2026
Benny Blanco is kicking off his shoes to silence his dirty feet critics.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
For the second time in as many years, the Colorado Rapids are kicking off a new era in Commerce City.
—Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
After a long day of travel, checking in to your hotel room and kicking off your shoes might feel like just the thing to finally put you in vacation mode.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2026
Smaller streamers would likely have to consolidate just to keep up, kicking off a snowball effect in the market.
—Hal Singer, Fortune, 7 Feb. 2026
The 68th annual Grammys are kicking off the month of love, and all the lovers and haters are tuning in.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
Girl Scout cookie season is kicking off in Charlotte, and there’s a new flavor joining the lineup.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 6 Jan. 2026
Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 14 Mar. 2026
He is also set to embark on a massive tour that features residencies across the globe, kicking off May 16 in Amsterdam.
—Jodi Guglielmi, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2026
Benny Blanco is kicking off his shoes to silence his dirty feet critics.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
For the second time in as many years, the Colorado Rapids are kicking off a new era in Commerce City.
—Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
After a long day of travel, checking in to your hotel room and kicking off your shoes might feel like just the thing to finally put you in vacation mode.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2026
Smaller streamers would likely have to consolidate just to keep up, kicking off a snowball effect in the market.
—Hal Singer, Fortune, 7 Feb. 2026
The 68th annual Grammys are kicking off the month of love, and all the lovers and haters are tuning in.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
Girl Scout cookie season is kicking off in Charlotte, and there’s a new flavor joining the lineup.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 6 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicking off
Verb
-
The Lakers play their next six games on the road, beginning Monday for the first of two games at the Houston Rockets.—
Dan Woike,
New York Times,
15 Mar. 2026
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Trump has restarted his affordability tour across the nation, but rising gas prices undercut his messaging as the weather is beginning to warm up, and the public looks to travel for vacations.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Rather than being a mournful movie about dying, Benna’s film pinpoints how to live and find joy and tears out of a terminal situation.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2026
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So if those pests show up, instead of one or two plants dying, all of them do.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Willie made it through the filming of the first episode, but as the second episode was commencing, word got to me that Willie had returned to Los Angeles and the end was near.—
Annabelle Gurwitch,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Feb. 2026
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According to China General Nuclear (CGN), on 21st February, the reactor pressure vessel for unit 6 began hoisting operations, officially commencing the installation of the unit’s main nuclear island equipment.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Last week, the Washington State Department of Health halted the recreational and commercial harvest of clams, oysters and mussels in Drayton Harbor after receiving multiple reports of people falling ill after consuming raw shellfish from the area.—
Jasmine Mendez
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
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In the meantime, racecourse attendances remain below pre-pandemic levels and the industry’s costs are rising, while betting revenue is falling.—
Ian King,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As Kansas coach Bill Self barked orders from the sideline inside T-Mobile Center, the tide was starting to turn.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Senior Republicans under pressure from conservative activists and GOP primary challengers are starting to take notice.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Don’t leave without checking out the rooftop cafe, which offers incredible city views.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Feb. 2026
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Getting your tiny house is as simple as checking out your Amazon cart and preparing for delivery.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Steve only got to visit Wanda in Broad Cove a couple of times before becoming too ill with AIDS to make the trip and eventually passing away from the disease.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Adichie has experienced significant loss over the last few years, with both of her parents passing away a year apart.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Those comely fender flares, the angular head and taillamps that have presence; this is the Mercedes that made stepping out of one feel like a statement again.—
Sean Evans,
Robb Report,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Crocs has some spring fresh colors and styles One of the best parts of spring is shedding all your heavy winter layers and stepping out in lighter, brighter fashion — and Crocs is totally on board.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kicking off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicking%20off. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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