Synonyms of kick off

kick off 1 of 2

verb

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

• begin
• start
• commence
• fall (to)
• set about
• get off
• strike (into)
• get going
• open
• found
• lead off
• enter (into or upon)
• get to
• launch
• embark (on or upon)
• create
• initiate
• generate
• get around (to)
• originate
• take up
• adopt
• organize
• get down (to)
• establish
• invent
• pioneer
• institute
• take on
• inaugurate
• set up
• innovate
• get round (to)
• father
• spawn
• embrace

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• end
• finish
• conclude
• stop
• terminate
• cease
• complete
• discontinue
• quit
• halt
• lay off
• close
• leave
• knock off
• abandon
• desist
• destroy
• abolish
• forsake
• extinguish
• phase out
• exterminate
• demolish

2

as in to die

slang to stop living

surprisingly, the recluse was worth a cool million when he kicked off

Synonyms & Similar Words

• die
• fall
• pass (on)
• pass away
• perish
• check out
• buy it
• step out
• kick in
• depart
• pop off
• succumb
• peg out
• end
• demise
• disappear
• exit
• go
• expire
• snuff it
• part
• kick the bucket
• bite the dust
• give up the ghost
• fade
• drop
• decease
• conk (out)
• croak
• flatline
• dry up
• fail
• consume
• predecease

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• live
• come to
• breathe
• be
• revive
• exist
• linger
• flourish
• thrive
• subsist
• prosper

kickoff

2 of 2

noun

ˈkik-ˌȯf 

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

• beginning
• start
• commencement
• onset
• inception
• launch
• alpha
• baseline
• genesis
• dawn
• outset
• morning
• threshold
• inauguration
• birth
• initiation
• day one
• infancy
• nascence
• origination
• arrival
• nascency
• founding
• get-go
• spring
• incipience
• incipiency
• opening
• origin
• debut
• drawing board
• creation
• emergence
• first base
• ground zero
• institution
• dawning
• advent
• cradle
• fountain
• well
• childhood
• appearance
• source
• germ
• square one
• root
• youth
• seedbed
• fountainhead
• wellspring

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• end
• conclusion
• close
• ending
• period
• completion
• closing
• termination
• finish
• closure
• stop
• cessation
• finale
• omega
• windup

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of kick off

Verb

Then the game and season will kick off, and the job of making the Miami Dolphins matter again will begin for real. — Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026

The 2026 Toronto Film Festival kicked off Thursday, September 10, and features a slew of world premieres including the official opening-night film Being Heumann, Oscar winner Siân Heder‘s follow-up to her Best Picture winner CODA. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2026

Noun

On the ensuing kickoff, a fumble by Boyd was recovered by Cohen Roper at the Broncos’ 32-yard line. — Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Sep. 2026

Smith’s 57-yard kickoff return against the Seattle Seahawks in the third preseason game was one of the team’s top plays in August. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2026