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
The mother of 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro — who claimed her son had been kidnapped, kicking off a frantic search in the Inland Empire — now faces a lengthy prison sentence after admitting to charges related to her role in the infant’s disappearance and death.
—
Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
North Side neighborhoods are kicking off Chicago's summer festival season this weekend.
—Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 16 May 2026
Since kicking off in Honduras in February, a cycle of minimal training, maximum recovery has been the norm under Dos Santos.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 10 May 2026
Tame Impala is winding down a spring European tour this month before kicking off a huge North American run July 6-7 in Miami.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 8 May 2026
By evening, disruptive Uranus enters your sign, kicking off a new cycle of identity, expression, and personal direction.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
More than 120 children were killed when a Tomahawk missile struck the school, kicking off a series of investigations that concluded that the US was responsible and that surveillance tools like Palantir’s Maven system had been used during that day’s strikes.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 25 Apr. 2026
The latest adaptation of the action video game series is uppercutting its way into theaters, kicking off the summer blockbuster season with a flurry of powerful punches.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
Paul Simon is just days away from kicking off an extensive world tour in Prague that will keep him on the road until mid-July.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2026
Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
North Side neighborhoods are kicking off Chicago's summer festival season this weekend.
—Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 16 May 2026
Since kicking off in Honduras in February, a cycle of minimal training, maximum recovery has been the norm under Dos Santos.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 10 May 2026
Tame Impala is winding down a spring European tour this month before kicking off a huge North American run July 6-7 in Miami.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 8 May 2026
By evening, disruptive Uranus enters your sign, kicking off a new cycle of identity, expression, and personal direction.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
More than 120 children were killed when a Tomahawk missile struck the school, kicking off a series of investigations that concluded that the US was responsible and that surveillance tools like Palantir’s Maven system had been used during that day’s strikes.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 25 Apr. 2026
The latest adaptation of the action video game series is uppercutting its way into theaters, kicking off the summer blockbuster season with a flurry of powerful punches.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
Paul Simon is just days away from kicking off an extensive world tour in Prague that will keep him on the road until mid-July.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicking off
Verb
-
Korda’s final putt of the day curled in the right side of the cup to solidify her second consecutive round of 67 at Riviera after beginning the championship with a frustrating 2-over 73.—
Gabby Herzig,
New York Times,
7 June 2026
-
Student loans, often essential, often expensive and not always forgiven, are changing once again, with new federal rules set to take effect beginning July 1 and impact students starting in fall 2026.—
Kennedy Cook,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Far from being a dying way of life, as many people think, the Amish population is growing rapidly — doubling roughly every 20 years.—
Torie Bosch,
STAT,
3 June 2026
-
Their mother, whom Jerry has been looking after, is dying, and there are medical bills that need to be straightened out.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
The 79th annual Cannes Film Festival is around the corner, commencing May 13 with the opening ceremony at the Palais des Festivals in the south of France.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
-
This is the phase of the project that’s now commencing.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Like India, Indonesia has been wrestling with a falling currency, and on May 20, the country's central bank raised its policy interest rates by a larger-than-expected 50 basis points.—
Sri Jegarajah,Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
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Anyone who likes keeping the balcony doors open at night and falling asleep to the sound of crashing waves should enjoy the Ocean Rooms.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Xi will meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a two-day state visit starting from next Monday, state media Xinhua announced on Friday.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
5 June 2026
-
Paul Rogers, a DNR fire prevention specialist, said 80% of the fires that get out of control every year in Michigan are caused by humans, with many of those fires starting as small, intended burns.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Daily specials are also worth checking out; the Saturday Cumbria Cowboy steak for two and the Sunday lasagna (with fennel sausage ragu) have both achieved cult-classic status in the neighborhood.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 May 2026
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In visible discomfort, White stayed in the game for another four-plus minutes before checking out.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Her sister had been through cervical cancer and two bouts of breast cancer before passing away from the disease.—
Ayren Jackson-Cannady,
SELF,
29 May 2026
-
As well as the uncertainty of being in the final year of his contract, the France international also had to deal with the personal anguish of his father Hamady passing away in January.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
But Clarkson isn't stepping out of the spotlight completely.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 May 2026
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But the 40-year-old has found a new calling since stepping out of the pool, becoming one of the most prominent and outspoken advocates for mental health and well-being in sports and beyond.—
Coy Wire,
CNN Money,
25 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kicking off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicking%20off. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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