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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Paramount+ Essential subscribers will be able to stream the show beginning Monday.—
Jordan Freiman,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
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After beginning as an unpaid intern with the Cleveland Cavaliers and landing a position as an assistant with Cleveland’s G League affiliate in Canton, Ohio, Skeeter’s career path also took him through Atlanta just like Lee.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Roope Hintz broke up Dostál’s shutout in the dying embers.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
14 Jan. 2026
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In early August, a rumor swirled through New York media circles that Rupert was very sick and possibly dying.—
Gabriel Sherman,
Vanity Fair,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Indiana and Miami begin the semester on January 12, with Ole Miss commencing January 20.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
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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
Verb
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Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 Jan. 2026
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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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Here are the 100 best luggage deals to shop right now, starting at $10.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Jan. 2026
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Keep scrolling for more worthwhile finds that are bound to win her seal of approval, starting at just $9.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
16 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
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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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Celebrities like Jennifer Lawrence are stepping out in the style, which typically features a rubber sole paired with a more refined upper, often finished with straps, elastic laces, or hook-and-loop closures.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
12 Jan. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Kicking off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicking%20off. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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