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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of kick off
Jordana Comiter, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025
The footwear trend’s high-fashion revival kicked off a few seasons ago, when Miu Miu and Bally showed extra-svelte takes on dock shoes, which are characterized by leather laces that wrap around the sides.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 5 Aug. 2025
Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2025
After the opening kickoff ended up as a fumble by the Lions, Lance needed five plays to go 28 yards for a 4th-and-2 touchdown pass to Will Dissly to get the first touchdown of the year on the board for Los Angeles.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kick off
Verb
The week kicked off with a pre-recorded episode co-hosted by Tohn.
—Jordana Comiter, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025
The footwear trend’s high-fashion revival kicked off a few seasons ago, when Miu Miu and Bally showed extra-svelte takes on dock shoes, which are characterized by leather laces that wrap around the sides.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 5 Aug. 2025
Noun
The Huskies are less than a month away from kickoff for the 2025 season, which begins Aug. 30 at Rentschler Field against Central Connecticut State.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2025
After the opening kickoff ended up as a fumble by the Lions, Lance needed five plays to go 28 yards for a 4th-and-2 touchdown pass to Will Dissly to get the first touchdown of the year on the board for Los Angeles.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kick off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kick off
Verb
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When Alec Flynn was in college, the comedian began using standup as a form of medicine to help with depression.—
Leia Mendoza,
Variety,
6 Aug. 2025
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In his rantings and ravings, all of which began only minutes after the report was released, Trump accused McEntarfer of two things: bad reporting and political motivation.—
Eli Amdur,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Superstore star Jon Miyahara, who played Brett on all six seasons of the NBC comedy, has died at 83.—
Lauren Huff Published,
EW.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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The talent manager and former stepson of Reba McEntire has died after a private battle with cancer.—
Meghan Overdeep,
Southern Living,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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What began as one family’s search for a life in rhythm with the land has bloomed into a thriving village where 70% of the acreage has been protected under a land trust from the beginning.—
Chrissy Tracey,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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Phillips said there are only three insurance companies actively insuring child care programs left in Michigan, compared with about 10 that existed at the beginning of 2024.—
Beki San Martin,
Freep.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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As the oldest of three children, Fitzgerald had also just started living on his own in Manhattan, per the obit.—
David Chiu,
People.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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Swift and Kelce famously started dating in the summer of 2023, and seemingly first confirmed their romance when Swift started popping up at his NFL games in September of that year.—
Lauren Huff,
EW.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
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But, if wages don’t rise to match those jumps, consumer spending could fall and slow the economy.—
Raul Elizalde,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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But critics say the global response has fallen dangerously short, despite the fact that $1.1 billion has been pledged by countries, foundations and international organizations to support mpox control.—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Maizie and Hunter recently completed undergraduate studies at the University of Idaho, the couple said, and took part in commencement ceremonies as the Chapins beamed.—
Liz Kreutz,
NBC news,
14 July 2025
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Param Pal, a San Jose State University business graduate, was back on campus within a month of commencement for a job fair.—
Sami Khan,
Mercury News,
7 July 2025
Verb
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What Happens Next If approved, the first phase of the project, which costs $55 billion, will commence in the next few years.—
Theo Burman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Aug. 2025
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Pre-orders of the album appeared on Taylor Swift’s website as soon as the time commenced.—
StyleCaster Editors,
StyleCaster,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Mortgage rates are certainly a factor among buyers when deciding to make an offer, and home prices are also up more than 50% since the onset of the pandemic, according to the U.S. Case-Shiller Home Price Index.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
31 July 2025
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According to many of the physicians who spoke with The Hollywood Reporter, video calls’ increasing pervasiveness since the onset of the pandemic in 2020 — termed the Zoom Boom among industry insiders — has been one of the most notable shifts in recent years.—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Kick off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kick%20off. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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