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
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Recent Examples of kicking off
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
But Foster scored seven straight points for Duke from there, kicking off the Blue Devils’ comeback.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 28 Mar. 2026
Dolly Parton delivered a candid health update while kicking off the 2026 season at Dollywood, revealing grief took a physical toll after the death of her husband of nearly six decades, Carl Dean.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 14 Mar. 2026
Benny Blanco is kicking off his shoes to silence his dirty feet critics.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
For the second time in as many years, the Colorado Rapids are kicking off a new era in Commerce City.
—Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
After a long day of travel, checking in to your hotel room and kicking off your shoes might feel like just the thing to finally put you in vacation mode.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2026
Smaller streamers would likely have to consolidate just to keep up, kicking off a snowball effect in the market.
—Hal Singer, Fortune, 7 Feb. 2026
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
But Foster scored seven straight points for Duke from there, kicking off the Blue Devils’ comeback.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 28 Mar. 2026
Dolly Parton delivered a candid health update while kicking off the 2026 season at Dollywood, revealing grief took a physical toll after the death of her husband of nearly six decades, Carl Dean.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 14 Mar. 2026
Benny Blanco is kicking off his shoes to silence his dirty feet critics.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
For the second time in as many years, the Colorado Rapids are kicking off a new era in Commerce City.
—Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
After a long day of travel, checking in to your hotel room and kicking off your shoes might feel like just the thing to finally put you in vacation mode.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2026
Smaller streamers would likely have to consolidate just to keep up, kicking off a snowball effect in the market.
—Hal Singer, Fortune, 7 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicking off
Verb
-
The bar staff were beginning to clear up for the night.—
Douglas Stuart,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
-
The ceasefire brokered by Pakistan still faces hurdles in the talks beginning Saturday, as Israel and Hezbollah militants have been trading fire along the border of southern Lebanon and Iran has set conditions before negotiations can begin.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Call did get up in time to return the ball to the infield, but the Giants scored a run on what was scored as a sacrifice fly, then another run on a dying fly ball that dropped just in front of Tucker for a single.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
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The 48-year-old killer of the MIT physicist, who in a video confession expressed vague grievances dating back to his early adulthood, also shot 11 people at Brown University, killing two, before dying by suicide.—
Dan Adler,
Vanity Fair,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But soon after pouring millions into upgrading the hydro facility, the company shuttered its Cheboygan operation in 1990, eliminating 300 jobs and commencing the slow decline of the historic mill.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
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The accord further prohibited the developers from beginning construction on the new residences before commencing work on these improvements.—
Awilda Esteras,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The school calendar’s architects also had the benefit of a number of school holidays falling over weekends, including Rosh Hashanah, Diwali and Juneteenth.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
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Officials said seven of the victims were struck by gunfire, while others were hurt in the chaos as people scrambled to get down from the pyramids, with some falling during the panic.—
Bradford Betz,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Shop sets with short and sleeveless tops, shorts, and cropped pants, and even one with a duster, starting as low as $20.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Keep scrolling for more of this weekend’s best Amazon member-only deals—starting at $7.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Don’t leave without checking out the rooftop cafe, which offers incredible city views.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Feb. 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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Steve only got to visit Wanda in Broad Cove a couple of times before becoming too ill with AIDS to make the trip and eventually passing away from the disease.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
4 Feb. 2026
-
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
Verb
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Picture waking up on a sunny morning, sliding floor-to-ceiling glass doors open, and stepping out onto a balcony to catch the sea breeze.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
16 Apr. 2026
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Connecting with past passions, the power of stepping out of the mainstream, joy found in wild places, fulfillment inherent in endurance sport.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kicking off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicking%20off. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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