KICKOFFS Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

kickoffs

noun

plural of kickoff

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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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of kickoffs The Longhorns failed to secure two of Creekview’s kickoffs, gave up 9 yards on a fourth-and-5 at their 11-yard line that led to Creekview’s first touchdown, ran 18 plays compared to the Grizzlies’ 39 and had just 21 yards rushing. — Chip Saye, AJC.com, 19 Sep. 2026 The good news is that Carolina prepared for this, and Metchie returned one punt and four kickoffs during the preseason. — Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2026 Fighting Irish wide receiver Raghib Ismail steals the show by returning kickoffs 88 and 92 yards for touchdowns. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026 Here are a few of the kickoffs to check out across this FBS slate. — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026 Knight also returned kickoffs, while Matthews handled punt return duties. — Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026 But Stanford returned three of his kickoffs on Friday, for 54 yards. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026 Fifth-year player Colton Boomer will remain on kickoffs in his second year with the program, while sophomore Canaan Moore will kick field goals. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 4 Sep. 2026 Morales made five field goals last season for Oak Forest and was consistently strong on kickoffs. — Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for kickoffs

Noun

Instant help is at hand for clubs that have made slow starts or didn't get all their business done in the transfer market.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2026
The Democratic candidate for a Fort Worth state House seat is dipping out of the race less than a month before voting starts.

— Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of starts

Noun

Despite their rural beginnings, spending time in downtown Atlanta was a big part of Shyretha and Mike’s adulthood.

— Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 24 Sep. 2026
The unraveling of a previous romantic relationship and the beginnings of her current love story with boyfriend and fellow country music artist Morgan Evans, inform her latest album.

— Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of beginnings

Noun

Experts said the second earthquake began before the first had even ended, with the two onsets separated by just 39 seconds.

— Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 26 June 2026
Anxiety disorders can persist into adulthood, particularly those disorders with early onsets and those that are left untreated.

— Elana Bernstein, The Conversation, 13 May 2022

Definition of onsets

Noun

Packaged dessert launches, including protein mousses, cheesecake cups and frozen bark, that lead with cottage cheese on the front of the label.

— Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Sep. 2026
Starship has carried small batches of V3 Starlinks on previous launches, but those missions’ suborbital trajectories meant the satellites burned up in Earth’s atmosphere rather than remaining in orbit.

— Josh Dinner, Space.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of launches

Noun

In the past few years, Underwood has come to realize that a bunch of barking alphas may not, in fact, be the best way to build a successful pack.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
As a ballplayer, Kent was as irascible as Bonds; the two alphas reportedly brawled behind clubhouse doors, and famously clashed in the dugout during a 2002 game, when Bonds lunged for Kent’s throat and pushed him against the wall.

— Jeremy Collins, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2025

Definition of alphas

Noun

The National Cotton Council (NCC) wrote that cotton sales to China have fallen more than 95 percent below historical baselines.

— Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
Something called an Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District would be created that freezes property tax baselines on the properties and uses future tax growth to fund infrastructure.

— Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of baselines

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kickoff

kickoffs

kick out

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“Kickoffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kickoffs. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of kickoffs

noun

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