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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicking off
Verb
-
The affected items were on shelves beginning on May 4, the FDA said.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
-
While there are still plenty of notable Air Jordan releases on the way in 2026, next year’s lineup is already beginning to take shape.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
The chanters settle back into rows, avoiding the dying embers.—
Emily Feng,
NPR,
20 May 2026
-
The squad was unbalanced and the Emirates Stadium had become a toxic environment after years of underachievement stretching back to the dying days of the Arsene Wenger era.—
Graham Ruthven,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
The 79th annual Cannes Film Festival is around the corner, commencing May 13 with the opening ceremony at the Palais des Festivals in the south of France.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
-
This is the phase of the project that’s now commencing.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
The magnificent luminosity of the orbs announced their arrival, their glow falling unfamiliar against windowpanes, which drew the people to the street.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
The mismatch between workers and available jobs—a key barometer of labor market stress—has actually improved since that moment, falling below its pre-pandemic level.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Winston makes a cameo to execute another electric Ford Field trick play, and the Giants lose a close one with their offense starting to find a new gear.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
-
Even with the regular season a few months away from starting, this week has been full of drama.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Daily specials are also worth checking out; the Saturday Cumbria Cowboy steak for two and the Sunday lasagna (with fennel sausage ragu) have both achieved cult-classic status in the neighborhood.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 May 2026
-
In visible discomfort, White stayed in the game for another four-plus minutes before checking out.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
My mom ended up getting cancer and passing away, and then the case just kind of went to the wayside.—
Staff Author,
PEOPLE,
2 May 2026
-
An old order is passing away and a new one is beginning.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That tracks here — anyone stepping out on this issue by nature must be more open to considering issues on a standalone basis, considering their merits and the benefits to constituents first instead of deferring to the party line.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
-
The lawsuit alleges an unidentified deputy responded by driving to the scene, stopping momentarily, then leaving without ever stepping out of her SUV.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kicking off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicking%20off. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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