KICKS OFF Synonyms: 104 Similar and Opposite Words

kicks off

verb

present tense third-person singular of kick off

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in dies

slang to stop living surprisingly, the recluse was worth a cool million when he kicked off

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of kicks off Here, though MipJunior kicks off blessed by early fall sun, the PBS outlook is more overcast. — John Hopewell, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026 Phase 2 starts Saturday, when Atlanta kicks off a best-of-five series with the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers. — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 2 Oct. 2026 The tour kicks off at a high point for the University of Illinois System, which has seen a boost in undergraduate enrollment this fall. — Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026 College football kicks off in a few hours, and Underdog is offering you a great option to receive a $1,000 deposit match bonus to use for college football this weekend using promo code FOXNEWS. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026 This is when the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale kicks off and lasts for a few weeks, highlighting thousands of prestige brands and SKUs that are normally never discounted—on Nordstrom or elsewhere! — Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 4 Sep. 2026 By the time the Liverpool game kicks off, Jaissle will still have only been in Newcastle for a fortnight. — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 The trek kicks off September 9 in Milwaukee and concludes a month later in Santa Ana, California on October 18. — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026 Inter Miami, seeking to end a four-game winless skid, kicks off a three-game homestand on Saturday against Toronto FC. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicks off

Verb

Its arrival begins the process of turning a military transport into a specialized communications platform designed for one of America’s most critical defense missions.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
My latest stargazing obsession There's something special about stargazing during the blue hour — that brief transition when daylight drains from the sky and night's window begins to open.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of begins

Verb

Austin Dennison, played by David Gyasi, tragically dies in the first few episodes of Season 4.

— Peter White, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
In the first, a best-selling mystery author dies, and Benoit Blanc, a charismatic and inquisitive private eye played by Daniel Craig, must investigate.

— New York Times, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of dies

Verb

The January 16, 2027 slot once again falls the day after the end of nomination voting in the Academy Awards on January 15, and before the January 21 nominations announcement.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
As night falls, Kenny and Christina are over the moon about their trip.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of falls

Verb

Following press and buyer appointments at The Plaza on Wednesday, the inaugural gowns will embark on a national trunk show tour that starts right across the street at Bergdorf Goodman.

— Ari Stark, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Someone who came to watch a movie starts to understand how one might be made.

— Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of starts

Verb

Notable franchise records • Dak Prescott is six touchdown passes away from passing Tony Romo to become the Dallas Cowboys career leader in passing touchdowns.

— Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
The loan does not need to be repaid until the last borrower passes away, sells the home, or moves out for good, such as entering long-term care.

— Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of passes away

Verb

The Clubhouse opens with more than 70 items for adults and kids, including a youth line of T-shirts, crewnecks and hoodies, as well as adult apparel, hats and collectibles.

— Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2026
What’s great about this is that the brief is very specific but opens it up to all sorts of interpretations.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of opens

Verb

In The Children, sister and brother Guinevere and Ennis grow up under the shadow of their mother, Edith Sharpe, whose Ninth City children’s book series transfixes the world until Edith perishes in a mysterious fire in Vermont.

— Hamilton Cain, Time, 7 July 2026
Every soldier Harry would have saved on a transport during the war perishes too.

— Margaret Heidenry, Vanity Fair, 24 Dec. 2025

Definition of perishes

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kicks in

kicks off

kicks out

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“Kicks off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicks%20off. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of kicks off

verb

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