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
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
But Foster scored seven straight points for Duke from there, kicking off the Blue Devils’ comeback.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 28 Mar. 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
Smaller streamers would likely have to consolidate just to keep up, kicking off a snowball effect in the market.
—Hal Singer, Fortune, 7 Feb. 2026
The 68th annual Grammys are kicking off the month of love, and all the lovers and haters are tuning in.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2026
But Foster scored seven straight points for Duke from there, kicking off the Blue Devils’ comeback.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 28 Mar. 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
Smaller streamers would likely have to consolidate just to keep up, kicking off a snowball effect in the market.
—Hal Singer, Fortune, 7 Feb. 2026
The 68th annual Grammys are kicking off the month of love, and all the lovers and haters are tuning in.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicking off
Verb
-
This year is beginning to resemble the magical 2024 season for Korda, who won seven times en route to becoming Player of the Year.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The union and workers agreed to return to work after the company agreed to return for two days of face-to-face contract negotiations beginning April 9.—
Logan Smith,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Concord police said a physical altercation involving several adults, near an elementary school, ended with a man dying Wednesday evening.—
Jose Fabian,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
McCray’s flashlight began dying, and Corder passed him a spare.—
Chris Ramirez,
jsonline.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The accord further prohibited the developers from beginning construction on the new residences before commencing work on these improvements.—
Awilda Esteras,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Willie made it through the filming of the first episode, but as the second episode was commencing, word got to me that Willie had returned to Los Angeles and the end was near.—
Annabelle Gurwitch,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
All of this comes at a time when the market has greater appetite for larger scale deals, despite Lauder’s falling stock price.—
Kathryn Hopkins,
Footwear News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Even amid this buzz, however, the cracks are starting to show.—
Sam Goldner,
Pitchfork,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Insurance wildfire models are starting to play the role of the grading scale, and policies such as Zone Zero, the national building codes.—
Noah Haggerty,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Don’t leave without checking out the rooftop cafe, which offers incredible city views.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Getting your tiny house is as simple as checking out your Amazon cart and preparing for delivery.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Steve only got to visit Wanda in Broad Cove a couple of times before becoming too ill with AIDS to make the trip and eventually passing away from the disease.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Adichie has experienced significant loss over the last few years, with both of her parents passing away a year apart.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Other rules include prohibiting mound visits, as well as stepping out of the batter's box between pitches and bunting.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Spring means a lot of things — flowers are blooming, days get longer, and many folks are finally stepping out of the cold.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kicking off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicking%20off. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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