1
as in to begin
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 to die
slang
to stop living
surprisingly, the recluse was worth a cool million when he kicked off
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in beginning
the point at which something begins
a political cycle in which an election marks not only the end of one campaign but also the kickoff for the next one
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 kick off
Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 9 Feb. 2025
Where to Watch Super Bowl LIX Super Bowl LIX kicks off on Sunday, Feb. 9 at 6:30/5:30c on Fox.
—Claire Franken, TVLine, 9 Feb. 2025
Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2025
For those who keep the TV running all day amid party prep, the pregame programming starts five hours before kickoff.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 9 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for kick off 
Verb
When is the Puppy Bowl 2025? Puppy Bowl XXI kicks off Sunday, February 9, starting with the brand-new Puppy Bowl XXI Kickoff at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m.
—Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 9 Feb. 2025
Where to Watch Super Bowl LIX Super Bowl LIX kicks off on Sunday, Feb. 9 at 6:30/5:30c on Fox.
—Claire Franken, TVLine, 9 Feb. 2025
Noun
Just hours before kickoff, sportsbooks have the Chiefs as 1.5-point favorites over the Eagles, a number which has remained steady throughout the past week.
—Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2025
For those who keep the TV running all day amid party prep, the pregame programming starts five hours before kickoff.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 9 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for kick off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kick off
Verb
-
The Girl Scout Cookie season began on Jan. 7 and typically runs through April, which means Thin Mints and other classics are still available for purchase.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA TODAY,
20 Feb. 2025
-
Related article Respiratory illness season begins to ramp up now.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
French died Friday in Los Angeles of complications from Alzheimer’s, his wife of 34 years, longtime Days of Our Lives actress Eileen Barnett, told The Hollywood Reporter.—
Mike Barnes,
The Hollywood Reporter,
9 Feb. 2025
-
But Butler’s debut signified the Warriors’ most hopeful moment in months, an introduction of a superstar who seems to blend well into their system, helps solve their biggest weaknesses and accentuates Curry, who has been dying for a co-star for a few seasons.—
Anthony Slater,
The Athletic,
9 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Jason Lipshutz: Unlike the star-heavy start of 2024, the beginning of 2025 has not been jammed with big new album releases — just Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos, really — and Hurry Up Tomorrow took advantage of that relative silence.—
Rania Aniftos,
Billboard,
11 Feb. 2025
-
At the beginning of last year, Honda rearranged the corporate structure around its motorsport activities.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The Senate Budget Committee plans to start working on Graham's proposal next Wednesday.—
Riley Beggin,
USA TODAY,
10 Feb. 2025
-
By then, Gotthard was back on his feet, reclaimed his house, and started bringing his family back together.—
Mara Bovsun,
New York Daily News,
9 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Good news for green energy The cost of a utility-scale solar panels has fallen 82% since 2010, according to the the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA TODAY,
16 Feb. 2025
-
Miami won the Supporters Shield last season after the best regular season record in MLS history, but the team fell short in the playoffs, losing in the first round to Atlanta United.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
In 1979, Radner gave the commencement speech—fully in character as Roseanne Roseannadanna—to the graduating class at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, part of which wound up on her comedy album Gilda Radner: Live From New York, released that same year.—
Adrienne LaFrance,
The Atlantic,
15 Feb. 2025
-
In 2019, at age 99, she was honored by Winston-Salem State and walked across the stage with the graduating class during a commencement ceremony.—
Chase Jordan,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
There are plenty of reasons for optimism with the Patriots including new coach Mike Vrabel and the roster rebuild that could soon commence as a result of the Pats having more cap space than any other team.—
Chad Graff,
The Athletic,
18 Feb. 2025
-
The deal commences with Lionsgate’s 2026 theatrical releases and also includes the studio’s 2025 slate and a commitment for licensing library movies and TV.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
16 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Beaver’s Pond Press experienced this firsthand during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.—
Mars King,
Twin Cities,
9 Feb. 2025
-
There is a very strict window of time in which this medicine can be given — three hours from the onset of symptoms, although there can be exceptions under specific circumstances.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN,
7 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to kick off
Thesaurus Entries Near kick off
Cite this Entry
“Kick off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kick%20off. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share