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 South American powerhouse dominated the stat sheet as both teams continue to prepare for the 2026 World Cup, which kicks off in June.
—
Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
The popular event that kicks off the two weeks leading up to the Kentucky Derby was canceled last year due to historic floods.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 31 Mar. 2026
The tournament kicks off from TPC San Antonio’s Oaks Course on Thursday morning.
—Andrew McCarty, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
In the nightmare scenario that kicks off Transcription, the disabling of the narrator’s phone—that ingenious receptacle for distraction, and discomfort, and crap—sets in motion a series of observations and reminiscences that prod the narrator’s unconscious, bringing the novel into being.
—Hannah Gold, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Mullin and Scrosati were two of the most high-profile executives set to address the Lille confab as the industry-facing Forum part of events kicks off today.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 24 Mar. 2026
Kristin Scharkey here, getting into the baseball spirit as the MLB season kicks off in a special way in San Francisco.
—Kristin Scharkey, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
Kevin Barnes’ band have lined up a North American tour that kicks off in mid-June and runs through early August, with support from Sloppy Jane and Austin punk band Cormae.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 17 Mar. 2026
Today, the holiday kicks off the country’s tourist season, though 40 years ago the day was marked by religious observances that even closed down bars.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
The popular event that kicks off the two weeks leading up to the Kentucky Derby was canceled last year due to historic floods.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 31 Mar. 2026
The tournament kicks off from TPC San Antonio’s Oaks Course on Thursday morning.
—Andrew McCarty, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
In the nightmare scenario that kicks off Transcription, the disabling of the narrator’s phone—that ingenious receptacle for distraction, and discomfort, and crap—sets in motion a series of observations and reminiscences that prod the narrator’s unconscious, bringing the novel into being.
—Hannah Gold, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Mullin and Scrosati were two of the most high-profile executives set to address the Lille confab as the industry-facing Forum part of events kicks off today.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 24 Mar. 2026
Kristin Scharkey here, getting into the baseball spirit as the MLB season kicks off in a special way in San Francisco.
—Kristin Scharkey, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
Kevin Barnes’ band have lined up a North American tour that kicks off in mid-June and runs through early August, with support from Sloppy Jane and Austin punk band Cormae.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 17 Mar. 2026
Today, the holiday kicks off the country’s tourist season, though 40 years ago the day was marked by religious observances that even closed down bars.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicks off
Verb
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The drones are programmed not to fly over 200 feet and to return to their charging station on their own when the battery level begins to get low.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
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The 126th New York International Auto Show begins this week and car fans across the globe are revved up.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Not everyone dies, but there are innocent victims every day.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
28 Mar. 2026
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The socialite is now a bailiff, Orsolya Ionescu (Eszter Tompa), who has a husband and three children, none of whom, mercifully, dies; the plight of the young and comfortable is not Jude’s concern.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Support falls somewhat, to 70%, among non-MAGA Republicans.—
Anne Bryson,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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Payton’s falls short of Chamberlain Gary Payton II had a chance to equal the feat of one of the game’s greatest players on Friday.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But the Passover Seder also commences the 50-day historical journey to Mount Sinai, the metaphorical site where the Jewish people received the Torah, the laws and traditions that gave shape to their journey, their culture and societal structure.—
Michael Pfleger,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
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All changes take effect June 18 except for Cartagena, which commences June 11.—
Vinod Sreeharsha,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Decanting a status soap into a rock crystal dispenser, like the Aria from Waterworks, starts a conversation.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
31 Mar. 2026
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The answer starts right at your front door.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Most Social Security payments fund retirement and related benefits, providing monthly income to eligible workers and certain family members, as well as survivor benefits for families after a worker passes away.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
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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
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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This is where the copium kicks in.—
Newsweek Editors,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
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That process actually begins with standing, and then wobbly steps as their balance kicks in.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kicks off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicks%20off. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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