KICKING (OFF) Synonyms: 104 Similar and Opposite Words

kicking off

verb

present participle of kick off

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

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

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 kicking off The author’s thrillers will be available in the United States and Canada for the first time in an eight-book deal through Hanover Square Press, kicking off with Conviction in 2027. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026 The start of the 2026-27 Premier League season is one week away, with the first game, Arsenal vs Coventry City, kicking off next Friday. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026 The San Francisco 49ers begin their quest for a sixth Super Bowl title on Thursday, kicking off the 2026 preseason with a matchup against the Tennessee Titans at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026 That means kicking off with the sacred mountain where shamans perform mudang rituals, the spiritual tradition at the heart of the storyline, and then using that inspiration to step into the soundproof studio to put your vocal chops to the test. — Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 6 Aug. 2026 The new school year is closing in fast, which means the race to check off all of those academic necessities is kicking off now. — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 22 July 2026 On Sunday night, Hermès celebrated Into the Horsecape, its latest high jewelry collection (called haute bijouterie at Hermès), designed by Pierre Hardy, with a lavish dinner at Musée des Arts Décoratifs, kicking off the week. — Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 10 July 2026 France and Morocco are kicking off World Cup quarterfinals at Gillette Stadium — known as Boston Stadium during the 2026 tournament — on Thursday, July 9. — Erin Lassner, HollywoodReporter, 9 July 2026 Stop taking it, and the mimicry stops too, kicking off a fairly predictable chain of changes over the days and weeks that follow. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicking off

Verb

The bottom line is that numerous positive technical developments are now coming together for SPOT, beginning with the daily cup-and-handle breakout.

— Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
The winners will redesign workflows, beginning with their own product and engineering organizations, then extending that learning into customer operations.

— Ravi Nemalikanti, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of beginning

Verb

The program picked four international applicants out of nearly 1,000 for a six-month fellowship commencing this month in London along with a cash prize of £10,000 ($13,480) each.

— Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Construction is slated to begin next year, with the first Starship flights commencing in 2029.

— Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of commencing

Verb

From travel dresses to a lightweight sweater, here are 14 items from Quince’s Workwear Edit that would look great on you on your next flight, starting at $20.

— Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2026
Keep scrolling to shop comfy travel outfits worth packing, with standout staples starting at just $15.

— Jill Layton, PEOPLE, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of starting

Verb

I'mPhaedra Trethan, checking out my colleague Trevor Hughes' Mad Max-Dune-steampunk visions from Burning Man.

— Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
San Luis Obispo is an ideal stop for checking out the Central Coast, and Klamath Falls, Oregon, is the gateway to Crater Lake.

— Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of checking out

Verb

Buechele was back-pedaling in the face of pressure before getting off a pass to Pettis, who was open along the left side of hte goal line.

— CBS News, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
After Wheeler scored on third down, Buechele back-pedaled in the face of pressure before getting off a pass to Pettis, who was open along the left side of the goal line.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of getting off

Verb

Her sister had been through cervical cancer and two bouts of breast cancer before passing away from the disease.

— Ayren Jackson-Cannady, SELF, 29 May 2026
As well as the uncertainty of being in the final year of his contract, the France international also had to deal with the personal anguish of his father Hamady passing away in January.

— James Pearce, New York Times, 28 May 2026

Definition of passing away

Browse Nearby Words

kicking in

kicking off

kicking out

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“Kicking off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicking%20off. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of kicking off

verb

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