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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dying
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 kicking off
Between flirty cocktails and a skillet full of molten cheese, Applebee’s latest offerings make a strong case for kicking off the year with comfort, color and a little extra fun.
—
Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 6 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
Fittingly kicking off the video with a photo of her hand with a soap manicure holding Luai’s tiny hand, The Parent Trap alum went through several big milestones with her family from the past year in the Reel.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 6 Jan. 2026
Married at First Sight is kicking off its 20th season with a major change.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Jan. 2026
Retailers are trying to lure in shoppers by kicking off Black Friday early with doorbusters and other deals.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025
After kicking off her career on the UK’s T4, Jamil has starred in a variety of big American hits.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2025
Two light festivals are kicking off in the Bay Area with impressive public art, including a series that will shine brightly at eight stories tall.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
This year, the beloved coffee brand is kicking off all their seasonal favorites November 6—and fans should head straight to the bakery case for their newest offerings.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025
Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 6 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
Fittingly kicking off the video with a photo of her hand with a soap manicure holding Luai’s tiny hand, The Parent Trap alum went through several big milestones with her family from the past year in the Reel.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 6 Jan. 2026
Married at First Sight is kicking off its 20th season with a major change.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Jan. 2026
Retailers are trying to lure in shoppers by kicking off Black Friday early with doorbusters and other deals.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025
After kicking off her career on the UK’s T4, Jamil has starred in a variety of big American hits.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2025
Two light festivals are kicking off in the Bay Area with impressive public art, including a series that will shine brightly at eight stories tall.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
This year, the beloved coffee brand is kicking off all their seasonal favorites November 6—and fans should head straight to the bakery case for their newest offerings.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicking off
Verb
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But while the plants are generating increasingly widespread enthusiasm, dark events are beginning to overshadow the news.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Some Americans are beginning to see this month's SNAP food benefits restored.—
Jennifer Ludden,
NPR,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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As oblivion approached, with all its attendant possibilities of panic or bitterness, Bowie summoned the generosity to evoke the ordeal of one prematurely dying man while also thinking and creating at the no less vast scale of life itself.—
Armin Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
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Since the late 1980s, newspapers like the Press and the Post-Gazette have been dying a slow death with loss of circulation and advertising revenue that's all but disappeared since the birth of the internet.—
Andy Sheehan,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
None of the arrests of the four individual plaintiffs in this case, on the other hand, were made in immediate anticipation of commencing removal proceedings, much less executing a final order of removal.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
2 Dec. 2025
-
Rollins humorously acknowledged his need to change his current diet before commencing the intensive physical preparations for his comeback.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Shop my favorite airport looks for winter travel below, with each outfit falling at or below $100.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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So commences a night of harrowing encounters and trauma both physical and mental, starting with Ron and Mike’s trip to meet Oliver at a bar after one of his shows.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Place water and rum in a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave on HIGH until starting to bubble, about 1 minute.—
Amanda Holstein,
Southern Living,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Peru sits along the Mississinewa River in north-central Indiana, and has antique shopping, farm experiences, and outdoor recreation worth checking out any time of year.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
-
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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Mollie lived a long life, passing away in December 1947 at age 80.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Nov. 2025
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With some footage shot in LA, but the move delayed, and then Ozzy passing away, the show as originally envisaged was not possible.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In an industry where one jaw-dropping look can help catapult you into fashion royalty and the wrong one into meme infamy, stepping out is a high-stakes business.—
Elycia Rubin,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Nov. 2025
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In the footage, Officer Hunter Weaver is seen stepping out of his cruiser and twice ordering a man, later identified as Frank Mejia Aguilar, to show his hands, once using an expletive.—
Monroe Trombly,
Louisville Courier Journal,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Kicking off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicking%20off. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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