1
as in begins
to take the first step in (a process or course of action)
I'll kick off the discussion on ethics with this question
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dies
slang
to stop living
surprisingly, the recluse was worth a cool million when he kicked off
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of kicks off
The day kicks off with live German music from Alpen Musikanten and a menu stacked with bratwursts, smoked meats and pretzels courtesy of Outpost 36 BBQ.
—
Tiffani Jackson Skinner, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025
Halloween Horror Nights kicks off at Universal Studios Hollywood on Thursday, September 4, 2025.
—Simon Thompson, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
The collection kicks off this weekend with Virgo season and will update it throughout the year as the zodiac wheel turns.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
The girls flag football season kicks off Saturday.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 7 Aug. 2025
Each year, the event kicks off Bronzeville Week, a week-long celebration hosted by the City of Milwaukee and Ald.
—Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 5 Aug. 2025
The Australian run kicks off Wednesday, April 8 at Brisbane’s Riverstage and continues through April 16 at Perth’s Red Hill Auditorium.
—Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 5 Aug. 2025
The story kicks off her new North Falls series, which will explore the dark underbelly of a small town community in Georgia through the eyes of police officer Emmy Clifton.
—Sabienna Bowman, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
The run of dates kicks off October 16 at Toronto, Ontario’s Monarch Tavern and wraps up November 2 at the Whirling Tiger in Louisville, Kentucky.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 5 Aug. 2025
Tiffani Jackson Skinner, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025
Halloween Horror Nights kicks off at Universal Studios Hollywood on Thursday, September 4, 2025.
—Simon Thompson, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
The collection kicks off this weekend with Virgo season and will update it throughout the year as the zodiac wheel turns.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
The girls flag football season kicks off Saturday.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 7 Aug. 2025
Each year, the event kicks off Bronzeville Week, a week-long celebration hosted by the City of Milwaukee and Ald.
—Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 5 Aug. 2025
The Australian run kicks off Wednesday, April 8 at Brisbane’s Riverstage and continues through April 16 at Perth’s Red Hill Auditorium.
—Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 5 Aug. 2025
The story kicks off her new North Falls series, which will explore the dark underbelly of a small town community in Georgia through the eyes of police officer Emmy Clifton.
—Sabienna Bowman, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
The run of dates kicks off October 16 at Toronto, Ontario’s Monarch Tavern and wraps up November 2 at the Whirling Tiger in Louisville, Kentucky.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicks off
Verb
-
The practice week begins in earnest on Wednesday.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
When the sun begins to dip, head over to the Catalina Casino.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In dog stories, a dog gives unbounded love and is the best possible friend and behaves heroically—and then the dog dies.—
Rivka Galchen,
New Yorker,
6 Sep. 2025
-
If a winner dies before all the annual payments are made, the balance of the prize continues in payments to the winner's estate, Powerball says.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Oregon rises after beating Oklahoma State by 66, while Clemson falls after trailing Troy at halftime before a 27-16 win.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Raising systemic issues and then resolving them with humor falls flat for this critic.—
Beandrea July,
IndieWire,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
There’s now just one last day of preseason games before the NFL commences its regular season.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
23 Aug. 2025
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Cade Klubnik is already getting high praise before the season even commences.—
Cecil Merkerson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Aug. 2025
Verb
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If this is an organization that is trying to be taken more seriously, then accountability starts with the front office itself — not with a player saying what everyone around the league is already thinking.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Hydroplaning is when a vehicle starts uncontrollably sliding on wet roads.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Factory ships deplete fisheries in a matter of years and an inordinate amount of sea life also perishes in their nets.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
However, all of this tradition (of losing games at the wrong time) is usually preceded by another phenomenon that Cubs’ fans have come to expect—or one that Cards and Brewers fans have come to anticipate—that kicks in long before the ivy at Wrigley Field starts to turn orange.—
Andy Frye,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
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The result is that Einstein's Theory of Relativity kicks in, causing the mass of the electrons to increase.—
David Szondy
August 27,
New Atlas,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The whisky opens with the scent of dark cherries, raisins, and Brazil-nut toffee, touched with marzipan and date caramel.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Now, a grown-up Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) faces new and familiar frights after her equally goth daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), opens a portal to the Netherworld and reawakens everyone's favorite pinstriped ghost.—
Emy LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Kicks off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicks%20off. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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