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 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
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
Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicking off
Verb
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In their prior five SEC losses, opponents largely controlled the game from beginning to end.—
Ethan Westerman,
Arkansas Online,
1 Feb. 2026
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An intense arctic cold front will move through South Florida beginning Saturday morning and move into the Florida Straits by Saturday night.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The story follows an estranged son who returns to his remote village to care for his dying father, only to uncover that his bloodline is bound by an old pact with a demonic Djinn.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
28 Jan. 2026
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In fact, those who receive a whole-body radiation dose equal to 4 grays, have a 50% chance of dying within 60 days if untreated.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In his late 20s at the time, Murdoch was commencing a staggering hot streak that would last roughly a decade.—
Elizabeth Nelson,
Pitchfork,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Indiana and Miami begin the semester on January 12, with Ole Miss commencing January 20.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But absent any concerning signs that the labor market is falling a cliff, the Fed will also likely turn to inflation data for the cue on when to lower rates again.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
28 Jan. 2026
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But their story appears to be falling apart.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Kyiv, which has grappled with severe power shortages this winter, is forecast to enter a brutally cold stretch starting Friday that is expected to last into next week.—
AAMER MADHANI AND SUSIE BLANN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 2026
-
And that leader was starting running back Chuba Hubbard, who carried a simple message.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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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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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
-
Mollie lived a long life, passing away in December 1947 at age 80.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Nearly two years after a biking accident landed him in the hospital, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's son, Pax Thien Jolie-Pitt, is stepping out for a rare solo appearance.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
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More intricate and intentional with his choices, Adebayo color-matches to the occasion, stepping out in a monochrome look wearing Japanese label Seveskig in a distressed, striped long-sleeve polo, B1 Archival khakis, and Air Jordan SEs.—
Tiana Randall,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kicking off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicking%20off. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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