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
For a prospect with such gaudy rushing statistics, Walton appears capable of doing a little bit of everything, including returning kickoffs.
—
Pete Sampson, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
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
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
Pete Sampson, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
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
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
-
That annoying voice in the back of the mind or deep in your gut starts to sound more convincing.—
JD Barker,
Rolling Stone,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Sophomore Sawyer Farr has appeared in six games, making three starts at second.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
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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
-
What could be more on-brand in terms of honoring the slasher movies of yore, really, than beating a great central concept into the ground with infinite final chapters and new beginnings?—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
27 Feb. 2026
-
This is a year of new beginnings, adventures and major changes.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Still, air-raid sirens and explosions could be heard Wednesday across central and northern Israel, which said missile launches from Iran were continuing.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Mar. 2026
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The stage is nearly equal in diameter to Orion and its service module, has been proven reliable on all of ULA's Vulcan missions to date, and doesn't need to be designed from scratch to support the needs of future Artemis launches.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
4 Mar. 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 gym was so crowded that fans were three-deep on the baselines and children sat cross-legged in front of the bleachers.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Not having those tariffs in place amounts to around $2 trillion added to the national deficit over the next decade, according to CRFB research, and could push the national debt upward to 131% of GDP by 2036, instead of 120% as previous baselines projected.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kickoffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kickoffs. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
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