1
as in beginning
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 dying
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 kicking off
By evening, disruptive Uranus enters your sign, kicking off a new cycle of identity, expression, and personal direction.
—
Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
More than 120 children were killed when a Tomahawk missile struck the school, kicking off a series of investigations that concluded that the US was responsible and that surveillance tools like Palantir’s Maven system had been used during that day’s strikes.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 25 Apr. 2026
The latest adaptation of the action video game series is uppercutting its way into theaters, kicking off the summer blockbuster season with a flurry of powerful punches.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
Paul Simon is just days away from kicking off an extensive world tour in Prague that will keep him on the road until mid-July.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2026
Dolly Parton delivered a candid health update while kicking off the 2026 season at Dollywood, revealing grief took a physical toll after the death of her husband of nearly six decades, Carl Dean.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 14 Mar. 2026
Benny Blanco is kicking off his shoes to silence his dirty feet critics.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
For the second time in as many years, the Colorado Rapids are kicking off a new era in Commerce City.
—Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
After a long day of travel, checking in to your hotel room and kicking off your shoes might feel like just the thing to finally put you in vacation mode.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2026
Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
More than 120 children were killed when a Tomahawk missile struck the school, kicking off a series of investigations that concluded that the US was responsible and that surveillance tools like Palantir’s Maven system had been used during that day’s strikes.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 25 Apr. 2026
The latest adaptation of the action video game series is uppercutting its way into theaters, kicking off the summer blockbuster season with a flurry of powerful punches.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
Paul Simon is just days away from kicking off an extensive world tour in Prague that will keep him on the road until mid-July.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2026
Dolly Parton delivered a candid health update while kicking off the 2026 season at Dollywood, revealing grief took a physical toll after the death of her husband of nearly six decades, Carl Dean.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 14 Mar. 2026
Benny Blanco is kicking off his shoes to silence his dirty feet critics.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
For the second time in as many years, the Colorado Rapids are kicking off a new era in Commerce City.
—Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
After a long day of travel, checking in to your hotel room and kicking off your shoes might feel like just the thing to finally put you in vacation mode.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicking off
Verb
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Rob Carr / Getty Images Before starting her stable, DeVaux climbed her way up the ranks, beginning as a stable worker for the late Chuck Simon before becoming an assistant trainer for Chad Brown.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC news,
3 May 2026
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So did progressive anthropologists, who were finally beginning to understand the particularity, complexity, and, above all, the contemporaneity of tribal cultures.—
Glenn Adamson,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
Verb
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Another found that women who remained childless after a fertility evaluation had more than a twofold higher risk of dying by suicide than those who eventually did have a child.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
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According to a February 2024 review of 45 studies encompassing some 10 million people, eating 10% more ultraprocessed foods raised the risk of developing or dying from dozens of adverse health conditions.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Earlier this year, the company announced a publishing administration partnership with 16-time Grammy Award-winner — and Variety’s Hitmakers 2025 songwriter of the year — Bruno Mars, commencing upon the completion of his current deal with BMG/Warner Chappell.—
Andrew Flanagan,
Variety,
28 Apr. 2026
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But soon after pouring millions into upgrading the hydro facility, the company shuttered its Cheboygan operation in 1990, eliminating 300 jobs and commencing the slow decline of the historic mill.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Bishop Moore junior Lucas Magro went 2-1 in the individual singles bracket and took the top seed, William Freshwater of Barron Collier, to a tiebreaker before falling 1-6, 6-1, (10-3).—
Buddy Collings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
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But the Pistons were sloppy with the ball and careless overall in a 94-88 loss to the Orlando Magic on Monday night, falling behind 3-1 in their first-round Eastern Conference series.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The question becomes what to do with the others, starting with Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
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The bill would invoke its restrictions in stages, starting with software and vehicle rules in 2027 and adding hardware rules in 2030.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In visible discomfort, White stayed in the game for another four-plus minutes before checking out.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
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Don’t leave without checking out the rooftop cafe, which offers incredible city views.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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My mom ended up getting cancer and passing away, and then the case just kind of went to the wayside.—
Staff Author,
PEOPLE,
2 May 2026
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An old order is passing away and a new one is beginning.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Yet again, Blazy has done his job in creating something that has gotten people talking, bringing Chanel into the zeitgeist as a fashion house that's current, modern and very much stepping out of the fashion box.—
Hedy Phillips,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
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Moving to New Jersey is Reiten’s way of stepping out of her comfort zone.—
Melanie Anzidei,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kicking off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicking%20off. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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