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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of kicking off
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
Keep those air conditioners humming, because this week is kicking off with some unusually hot weather.
—Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2025
Swiss transportation company Twiliner is kicking off a new night bus service later this year that will be more akin to a business class airline seat than your typical bus.
—Opheli Garcia Lawler, Travel + Leisure, 8 Sep. 2025
But the regular season is kicking off in just over a week, and Hill is still there, but not without concern.
—Hunter Mulholland, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
Ahead of the campaign kicking off, Beren Cross will be answering your questions right here on The Athletic’s website and app.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Oasis offered few surprises in its crowd-pleasing, hit-heavy 23-song set, which the band has reprised essentially without deviation since kicking off the Live ’25 tour in Wales in July.
—Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 17 Aug. 2025
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
Keep those air conditioners humming, because this week is kicking off with some unusually hot weather.
—Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2025
Swiss transportation company Twiliner is kicking off a new night bus service later this year that will be more akin to a business class airline seat than your typical bus.
—Opheli Garcia Lawler, Travel + Leisure, 8 Sep. 2025
But the regular season is kicking off in just over a week, and Hill is still there, but not without concern.
—Hunter Mulholland, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
Ahead of the campaign kicking off, Beren Cross will be answering your questions right here on The Athletic’s website and app.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Oasis offered few surprises in its crowd-pleasing, hit-heavy 23-song set, which the band has reprised essentially without deviation since kicking off the Live ’25 tour in Wales in July.
—Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 17 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicking off
Verb
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In 2022, Fox Weather had reported that United Airlines would abandon its request for passengers to open window shades upon landing after quietly beginning to encourage it in 2020.—
Staff Author,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
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That has led to Adebayo beginning this season with fewer shots coming from around the rim and significantly more shots coming from three-point range.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The doctors can’t quite figure out why this random neighbor insists on seeing an adolescent patient who’s still in recovery after nearly dying the night before, and Sarah’s inability to explain herself certainly doesn’t help.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
29 Oct. 2025
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In 1981 San Francisco, a desperate Filipino World War II veteran launches a frantic bank robbery spree to save his dying best friend, putting him on a collision course with a young, ambitious detective eager to make his mark.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Hands-down one of the most disgusting movies ever made (a compliment), the film finds the indefatigable slasher, who was decapitated at the end of Terrifier 2, reattaching his head and commencing his ritual slaughters.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
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The case is scheduled to be heard in London’s High Court, commencing on October 28.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In effect, farmers in rural America have warned of an impending economic crisis from the compounding factors of losing their top export market, falling crop prices and high costs.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
30 Oct. 2025
-
With words infallibly falling short, Pritam mingled realism with a fragmentary style of narration that meshes together social encounters, violent episodes, vivid metaphors, disturbing dreams, memories, intimate self-reflections, and introspection on society.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Even parents who don’t trail physically are finding new ways to insert themselves into the college experience—starting with dorm rooms, as The Atlantic has reported.—
Russell Shaw,
The Atlantic,
2 Nov. 2025
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With Rico Dowdle starting at running back for the first time since Week 6, Carolina’s offense was able to move the ball effectively on the ground, even with a makeshift offensive line missing multiple starters.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Certainly no other fan base will feel sorry for Blackhawks fans, but man, what Blackhawks fans wouldn’t give to be nitpicking a coach’s decision about who plays right wing on the fourth line again rather than checking out who’ll be available at the top of the draft in June.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
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According to Variety, Mike White’s grand hotel anthology series is checking out many, many properties on the French Riviera for its upcoming shoot.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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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Detectives later identified Farzam as the man seen on news footage stepping out of the vehicle during the attack.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
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Color & Geometry Non-Slip Bath Mat Gone are the days of stepping out of the shower and onto cold tile or a soggy bath mat.—
Mia Huelsbeck,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Kicking off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicking%20off. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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