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
Relevance
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
Tuesday kicks off a stretch of wet days as multiple weather systems will pass through Minnesota.
—
Lisa Meadows, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
The tournament kicks off on June 11 when Mexico plays South Africa in Mexico City.
—ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
Prices also should rise as the home-buying season kicks off later in the year.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Lynne Ramsay is set to receive the Cinema City Honorary Award at the Glasgow Film Festival, which kicks off this week.
—Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 24 Feb. 2026
The season kicks off later this week, and there are changes on the horizon.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 17 Feb. 2026
The challenge usually kicks off in mid-January, about a week after the students come back from winter break.
—Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Most pitches will be installed in May, weeks before the start of the tournament, which kicks off June 11.
—Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
He's got the stadium tour that kicks off in April in Las Vegas.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 3 Feb. 2026
Lisa Meadows, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
The tournament kicks off on June 11 when Mexico plays South Africa in Mexico City.
—ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
Prices also should rise as the home-buying season kicks off later in the year.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Lynne Ramsay is set to receive the Cinema City Honorary Award at the Glasgow Film Festival, which kicks off this week.
—Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 24 Feb. 2026
The season kicks off later this week, and there are changes on the horizon.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 17 Feb. 2026
The challenge usually kicks off in mid-January, about a week after the students come back from winter break.
—Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Most pitches will be installed in May, weeks before the start of the tournament, which kicks off June 11.
—Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
He's got the stadium tour that kicks off in April in Las Vegas.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 3 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicks off
Verb
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The trade will not become official until the new league year begins on Wednesday.—
SportsDay Staff,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Mar. 2026
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Add all that to ideal daytime temps in the mid-70s, and a low chance of showers before the rainy season begins around June, and your last-minute CDMX trip practically plans itself.—
Annie Daly,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
War spreads in the Middle East, a coaching legend dies, and several incumbents face tough primaries.—
Melinda Yao,
NBC news,
7 Mar. 2026
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There is no way to measure the emotional cost of dealing with what happens after a spouse dies and leaves financial arrangements in a mess.—
Terry Savage,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Iranians also continue to argue over who should lead if the current government falls.—
Alicia Victoria Lozano,
NBC news,
7 Mar. 2026
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The peak falls near a first-quarter moon this year, which bodes well for another bright, impressive shower this year, per the Old Farmer’s Almanac.—
Joseph Erbentraut,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
If the sales go through and drilling eventually commences, large portions of the trail could, in theory, become unusable, forcing a reroute to keep it viable as a recreation setting.—
Alex Heard,
Outside,
4 Mar. 2026
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The strike will last until the union and the school district come to an agreement, which could mean hours or several days after the picket commences Thursday morning.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Hydroplaning is when a vehicle starts uncontrollably sliding on wet roads.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Mar. 2026
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But now starts a new terrible chapter without my smarter, goofier, and relentlessly selfless other half.—
Sara Tenenbaum,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
After Nora and Agnes’ mother passes away, Gustav returns to Oslo (and the gorgeous family house that has played home to some of their biggest tragedies) and tries to reestablish himself in his family’s lives.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
28 Oct. 2025
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That's very different from a co-signer, who is equally responsible for any balance, even after the primary cardholder passes away.—
Steve Hruby,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Every soldier Harry would have saved on a transport during the war perishes too.—
Margaret Heidenry,
Vanity Fair,
24 Dec. 2025
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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
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The action gives the relationship higher stakes, and the emotional resonance of the characterizations ratchets up the intensity once the action kicks in.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Garland simply wasn’t going to be a fit with the Canucks’ timeline, and moving him for a couple of picks before his NMC kicks in on July 1 is good business.—
Shayna Goldman,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kicks off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicks%20off. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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