1
as in to begin
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 to die
slang
to stop living
surprisingly, the recluse was worth a cool million when he kicked off
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in beginning
the point at which something begins
a political cycle in which an election marks not only the end of one campaign but also the kickoff for the next one
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of kick off
Michelle Kaufman
may 29, Miami Herald, 29 May 2026
The Game was meant to kick off at noon under a slate-gray sky, with a few snowflakes in the air and fans huddled up in the stands.
—Austin Meek, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 2 June 2026
Preparing for kickoff The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex will see avid soccer fans from across the country and around the world pour in for several matches.
—Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for kick off
Verb
Hard Rock Stadium, renamed Miami Stadium during the World Cup because FIFA prohibits display of non-affiliated sponsors, is hosting seven matches during the 48-team tournament, which kicks off June 11 and runs through July 19.
—Michelle Kaufman
may 29, Miami Herald, 29 May 2026
The Game was meant to kick off at noon under a slate-gray sky, with a few snowflakes in the air and fans huddled up in the stands.
—Austin Meek, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Noun
Organizers announced the food vendors that would be available at the site of the Fan Festival ahead of its opening date on June 11, the kickoff for this year’s World Cup.
—Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 2 June 2026
Preparing for kickoff The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex will see avid soccer fans from across the country and around the world pour in for several matches.
—Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for kick off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kick off
Verb
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As the journey progresses, a male driver and his female companion (neither pictured on-screen) begin to discuss the Winkie.—
Jonathan Odden,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
-
Herein, begins the first of many game drives.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Marcia Lucas, Academy Award-winning film editor, died at the age of 80, AP News reports.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
30 May 2026
-
Kelly Curtis, an actress, documentarian and daughter of Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, died Saturday morning, her younger sister, Jamie Lee Curtis, announced.—
Mike Barnes,
HollywoodReporter,
30 May 2026
Noun
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City Councilors Ed Flynn and Erin Murphy began raising the issue at the beginning of this month, and saw their resolution calling on the mayor to restore the cut backed, by an 11-0 vote, by the City Council.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
29 May 2026
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Lewis will be eligible to return to the major league roster for the beginning of a three-game series against the White Sox that starts Monday at Target Field.—
John Shipley,
Twin Cities,
29 May 2026
Verb
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The four men still trapped have started to show health problems, including skin, stomach and intestinal issues.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
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Aranda followed with his 10th homer, but the Rays (35-19) were just getting started.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Verb
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Demuth led the field through four ballots, but after Lindell failed to advance to the fifth ballot, Qualls took the lead and the number of votes cast fell.—
Jimmy Lovrien,
Twin Cities,
31 May 2026
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In a recent interview with The Times of London, Niall Horan opened up about the death of his former One Direction bandmate Liam Payne, who died in 2024 at the age of 31 after falling three floors from a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
30 May 2026
Noun
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La Jolla High School bid adieu to its latest batch of graduating seniors at its annual commencement ceremony May 28 at Gene Edwards Stadium on campus.—
La Jolla Light,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
-
Capistrano Valley High School’s new campus stadium is completed and ready to host next week’s commencement ceremony.—
Heather McRea,
Oc Register,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Usyk tried to swarm once the action commenced.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
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The LPs also commenced his empathetic association with bassist Bob Cranshaw, who appeared on Rollins’ albums for the next half-century.—
Chris Morris,
Variety,
26 May 2026
Noun
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While McCarty notes that some studies have linked magnesium supplements to lower odds of short sleep duration and to modest improvements in sleep-onset latency in certain populations, McCarty cautions that the overall research remains mixed.—
Sharon Brandwein,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
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There was the comeback in April-May 2020, directly after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic; March-April 2009, which followed the Great Financial Crisis; and January-February 1975, following the first oil shock.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kick off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kick%20off. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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