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
Saks Global officially filed for bankruptcy in January, kicking off a saga of restructuring under van Raemdonck, who was appointed to the CEO role when Saks filed.
—
Madeleine Schulz,
Vogue,
27 June 2026
Stop taking it, and the mimicry stops too, kicking off a fairly predictable chain of changes over the days and weeks that follow.
—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 June 2026
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
Madeleine Schulz,
Vogue,
27 June 2026
Stop taking it, and the mimicry stops too, kicking off a fairly predictable chain of changes over the days and weeks that follow.
—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 June 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicking off
Verb
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While veterans jockey for new contracts during free agency, young players are getting their tryout opportunities with NBA summer league games beginning this week.
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With the hot stretch just beginning, officials continue to emphasize one message for anyone spending time indoors or outside.
Verb
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As long as the idea remains that property gets its purpose from those tending it, working it, nourishing it and dying on it, the film will never become a relic.
-
Late in Denis’ second Norris Trophy (Best Defenseman) season, the Isles included Jean in a trade with the dying Cleveland Barons.
Verb
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Flexjet has become the official private aviation supplier for Formula 1 in a new multi-year agreement, commencing with the British Grand Prix.
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Work on the plan to remake Fifth Avenue is seen commencing in 2028 and will extend from Bryant Park to Central Park.
Verb
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The report will also provide insight into whether American workers’ paychecks are falling further behind inflation.
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But Musk fell short of the yearly 5% minimum the IRS legally requires his foundation to give away, after falling roughly $423 million short in 2023.
Verb
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Crunchyroll subscribers can also stream the movie, offered in both Japanese and English dubs, starting the same day.
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For the Heat’s Antetokounmpo and Adebayo, ample challenges ahead — starting with an East seedings race unlike any other in recent years.
Verb
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Woodside Energy Group — Shares of the Australian oil and gas company jumped more than 7% after Bloomberg News reported , citing people familiar, that Exxon Mobil is checking out possible acquisition targets including Woodside.
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However, the main activity was not checking out or returning books.
Verb
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The primary win for Phoenix was getting off Royce O’Neale’s salary.
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Simply a live broadcast of the team getting off the bus at the stadium.
Verb
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Her sister had been through cervical cancer and two bouts of breast cancer before passing away from the disease.
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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.
Cite this Entry
“Kicking off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicking%20off. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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