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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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
One particularly promising application involves tracking when the ball crosses the sideline during kickoffs and punts.
—
Jason Corso, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026
There were also exhibits that had guests run game plays, do kickoffs at football field lengths and test their throwing skills.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
updated February 5, Sacbee.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Though a few other teams had their punter handle kickoffs — a tactic that didn’t work out very well for the Rams — the 31-year-old Myers hit all scoring kicks and kickoffs without wearing down across 19 games.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Now, teams on average begin drives from the 30-yard line following kickoffs, according to TruMedia.
—Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Volunteering For One High-Visibility Initiative When the year begins, many teams are planning major initiatives, strategic meetings or kickoffs for important projects.
—Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The 2025 All-Pro special teamer knocked the Bills around on a couple of special-teams tackles to stuff Buffalo short of the 30-yard line on two kickoffs.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 18 Jan. 2026
So while Olsen might appear to be the front-runner for field goals and Weinberg for kickoffs, there will be a competition.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 17 Jan. 2026
The Knights ranked second in the Big 12 last season in kickoffs, thanks to Noe Ruelas.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2026
Jason Corso, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026
There were also exhibits that had guests run game plays, do kickoffs at football field lengths and test their throwing skills.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
updated February 5, Sacbee.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Though a few other teams had their punter handle kickoffs — a tactic that didn’t work out very well for the Rams — the 31-year-old Myers hit all scoring kicks and kickoffs without wearing down across 19 games.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Now, teams on average begin drives from the 30-yard line following kickoffs, according to TruMedia.
—Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Volunteering For One High-Visibility Initiative When the year begins, many teams are planning major initiatives, strategic meetings or kickoffs for important projects.
—Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The 2025 All-Pro special teamer knocked the Bills around on a couple of special-teams tackles to stuff Buffalo short of the 30-yard line on two kickoffs.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 18 Jan. 2026
So while Olsen might appear to be the front-runner for field goals and Weinberg for kickoffs, there will be a competition.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 17 Jan. 2026
The Knights ranked second in the Big 12 last season in kickoffs, thanks to Noe Ruelas.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kickoffs
Noun
-
Heck, 2011-17 Kershaw basically doubles deGrom’s starts and innings.—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Here's when daylight saving time 2026 starts What is Lent?—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
By moving some commencements away from increasingly costly private sites, the financially ailing school district could have saved about half a million dollars a year.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Seattle Seahawks' Julian Love, Rylie Mills, and Eric Saubert, along with the New England Patriots' Robert Spillane, all trace their football beginnings to Chicagoland high schools — Spillane at Fenwick, Saubert at Hoffman Estates, Love at Nazareth Academy, and Mills at Lake Forest.—
Victor Jacobo,
CBS News,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Singer and rapper Bad Bunny may be gracing the stage as the performer at Sunday's Super Bowl LX halftime show, but his beginnings started thousands of miles away in Puerto Rico with his mother, father, and two brothers.—
Kate Perez,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Although many Yaogan missions are officially described as civilian remote-sensing projects, recent launches have significantly expanded the network’s capabilities in mapping, maritime domain awareness, and change detection.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Still, that seems like an inordinate number of launches.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
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
Noun
-
The game was sold out with fans 3-4 deep on the baselines.—
Langston Wertz Jr,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Clear baselines for transparency, accountability, and autonomous system oversight help align incentives, reduce systemic risk, and build trust across markets.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kickoffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kickoffs. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
