as in starts
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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Recent Examples of kickoffs
The song has made appearances at season-opening matchups as well as Super Bowls before kickoffs.
—
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
That ball is out the end zone about every time [on kickoffs].
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
Remigio, a wide receiver, is sure-handed on punts and kickoffs.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2025
In fact, there are a few festive football home items that have made their debut at ALDI just in time for game day kickoffs this weekend.
—Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2025
Less than a month later, Davis committed to Miami, which saw him as someone who could handle kickoffs.
—Tim Casey, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Sayeri, another freshman, was responsible for kickoffs, field goals and PATs and went 8-for-8 on PATs.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 31 Aug. 2025
Duke commit, placekicker Gavin Strange nailed all seven of his PAT attempts, and all eight of his kickoffs were touchbacks, with all but one through the end zone.
—Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2025
As such, many of the Raiders’ kickoffs begin in the later window.
—Jenny Catlin, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
That ball is out the end zone about every time [on kickoffs].
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
Remigio, a wide receiver, is sure-handed on punts and kickoffs.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2025
In fact, there are a few festive football home items that have made their debut at ALDI just in time for game day kickoffs this weekend.
—Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2025
Less than a month later, Davis committed to Miami, which saw him as someone who could handle kickoffs.
—Tim Casey, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Sayeri, another freshman, was responsible for kickoffs, field goals and PATs and went 8-for-8 on PATs.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 31 Aug. 2025
Duke commit, placekicker Gavin Strange nailed all seven of his PAT attempts, and all eight of his kickoffs were touchbacks, with all but one through the end zone.
—Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2025
As such, many of the Raiders’ kickoffs begin in the later window.
—Jenny Catlin, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kickoffs
Noun
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The theme of training camp and the preseason was for the Bengals to avoid the slow starts that plagued them in the past, so starters played in the first two preseason games.—
Jason Hoffman,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
5 Sep. 2025
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Or the skewering and scathing kind from social media, where everyone’s a target by armchair quarterback blowhards, including over four mixed starts at Arizona State in 2023.—
Joe Davidosn,
Sacbee.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The beginnings of it are depicted in true disaster movie style, with ominous music and a collapsing electric pylon that causes a faulty cable to fall to the ground.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
6 Sep. 2025
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Here is the emphasis on the hardscrabble beginnings and obstacles to be overcome, here is the recognition of a truly raw but once-in-a-lifetime talent that converts the nonbelivers, here are the early wins and the training montages and the tragedies and the comebacks.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The events team has curated a packed calendar of author talks, book launches and special programs across the Hudson Valley and beyond.—
American Booksellers Association,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
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Even with a constant stream of new launches, the brand still wows with no-brainer, fill-a-gap-in-your-routine staples that stand the test of time.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Harden baselines, enforce configuration standards and turn on logging with retention that matches control language.—
Emil Sayegh,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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When play resumed in the third quarter, the clocks at the top of the backboard were back in working condition, and the reserve equipment on the baselines were taken back into storage.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
1 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Kickoffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kickoffs. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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