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
Gipson has been a staple of the Jets' return units, returning 66 punts and 39 kickoffs in his first two seasons.
—
Michael Hurley, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Fitzgerald ultimately won out and finished his debut Sunday perfect on field goals — 1-for-1 from 48 yards out — and had a good day on kickoffs, too.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2025
After changing how kickoffs occurred last year, the NFL is making a few more tweaks in 2025-2026.
—Chris Morris, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
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
Michael Hurley, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Fitzgerald ultimately won out and finished his debut Sunday perfect on field goals — 1-for-1 from 48 yards out — and had a good day on kickoffs, too.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2025
After changing how kickoffs occurred last year, the NFL is making a few more tweaks in 2025-2026.
—Chris Morris, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kickoffs
Noun
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The Red Sox now have five starters on the IL (Dustin May went down this week), leaving them one injury away from potentially starting either Connelly Early or Payton Tolle — who have four major-league starts between them — in a must-win wild-card game.—
Chad Jennings,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
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Fresh starts aren’t failure—they’re freedom.—
Marie Quintana,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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One of several intriguing questions from the Big 12’s offseason might have the beginnings of an answer.—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
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Intense, dramatic and often life-changing, time speeds up in this energetic tunnel with themes of endings and beginnings coming into view.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Among those diehard fans is Anthony Gomez, the managing partner at Rocket Ranch, a riverside campground along the Rio Grande with a facility for viewing launches that’s so close to Starship’s pad that attendees must sign safety waivers.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
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Rocket Lab's Electron, another rocket popular for dedicated launches of small satellites, lacks the performance required for Astroscale's mission.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
12 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 16 Sep. 2025.
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