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
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
The trial, which kicks off this week in Los Angeles County Superior Court, is the first time major social media companies will argue their case before a jury.
—CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Sacramento The state capital kicks off the route at its northern end with farm-to-fork restaurants and world-class museums.
—Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 20 Jan. 2026
Besides all of this, the January crunch stems from the Wayback machine, to the coaches seeking a way to corral their entire roster on campus long before the first game kicks off.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
The country star’s With Heaven On Tour run kicks off March 7 and features support from Kings of Leon, Alabama Shakes, Ben Howard, MJ Lenderman, Dijon, and more.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 9 Jan. 2026
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
The trial, which kicks off this week in Los Angeles County Superior Court, is the first time major social media companies will argue their case before a jury.
—CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Sacramento The state capital kicks off the route at its northern end with farm-to-fork restaurants and world-class museums.
—Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 20 Jan. 2026
Besides all of this, the January crunch stems from the Wayback machine, to the coaches seeking a way to corral their entire roster on campus long before the first game kicks off.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
The country star’s With Heaven On Tour run kicks off March 7 and features support from Kings of Leon, Alabama Shakes, Ben Howard, MJ Lenderman, Dijon, and more.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 9 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicks off
Verb
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When early voting begins, the county typically publishes each polling location’s wait time on its website.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Feb. 2026
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Wicks, 26, begins spring training as part of the starting pitching depth mix that the Cubs expect to rely on over the course of the season.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The young couple ultimately plans to get married, and Heathcliff – haunted by visions of Catherine – dies.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
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However, Paxton’s opinion specified that requirement only applies in cases where an inmate dies on jail property, as opposed to, for example, in a hospital while still in custody.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When night falls over the ship, step into the theater to see a jaw-dropping performance.—
Megan duBois,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The State of Texas must pick up on compassionate border security that picks up where the Federal Government falls short.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The planetary moonwalk commences on the 26th, twelve days after Valentine’s Day, and is plotting and sussing out the story, so beware of mishaps, missteps, unforeseen issues, travel delays, the resurrection of exes, and awkward moments.—
Lisa Stardust,
Refinery29,
12 Feb. 2026
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This season, New York Fashion Week (NYFW) commences at a dire moment for US multi-brand retail.—
Madeleine Schulz,
Vogue,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But as we’re ushered down a meandering trail, the entire atmosphere starts changing.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The problem starts, though, when pricing isn't clearly disclosed upfront.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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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Not counting preventive care and three covered primary care doctor visits, that spending target must be met before a policy’s other coverage kicks in.—
Julie Appleby,
Miami Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
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Once the competitiveness comes out, the muscle memory kicks in.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kicks off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicks%20off. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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