kickback

noun kick·back \ ˈkik-ˌbak \

|Updated on: 16 Jul 2018

Examples: kickback in a Sentence

Definition of kickback

1 : a return of a part of a sum received often because of confidential agreement or coercion

every city contract had been let with a ten percent kickback to city officials
—D. K. Shipler

2 : a sharp violent reaction

See kickback defined for English-language learners

See kickback defined for kids

Examples of kickback in a Sentence

Several company executives were accused of accepting kickbacks.

Recent Examples of kickback from the Web

The case Kavanaugh decided began in 2014, when the CFPB, under then-Director Richard Cordray, alleged that mortgage company PHH Corp. had harmed consumers through a mortgage insurance kickback scheme that started as early as 1995.

— emily stewart, Vox, "Consumer advocacy groups are extremely worried about Brett Kavanaugh," 11 July 2018
The fifth and final defendant in a kickback scheme tied to the state's largest nursing home chain was sentenced Tuesday to probation with the first six months in a halfway house.

— mark alesia, Indianapolis Star, "Man who reaped $800,000 in nursing home fraud is sentenced," 10 July 2018
Among the key issues in the CFPB’s investigation, according to legal experts familiar with the case, was whether the Zillow plan violates federal prohibitions against paying compensation for referrals of business — kickbacks.

— kenneth r. harney, courant.com, "CFPB Shifts Gears On Policing Zillow's Co-Marketing Schemes," 5 July 2018
His fortune declined as Brazil’s economy entered into a recession in 2014 and federal investigators began exposing a vast web of kickback schemes that crippled several of the country’s top companies.

— ernesto londoño, New York Times, "Mining Tycoon, Once Brazil’s Richest Man, Is Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison," 3 July 2018
Among the broker's problems: a high-profile, federal criminal trial in which he was acquitted and a banishment by the SEC on accusations of associating with a kickback scheme.

— david jesse, Detroit Free Press, "How a down-and-out broker got University of Michigan to invest $95M," 22 June 2018
The investigation concluded that Rao had not only fabricated data and plagiarism, but that the scientist also had tried to coerce kickbacks from his underlings.

— adam marcus, BostonGlobe.com, "Retraction Watch: Fall from grace," 29 June 2018
In India, severe restrictions on how political parties can raise money have driven campaign finance underground and fostered a culture of corruption and kickbacks, experts say.

— simon denyer, Washington Post, "Mongolian democracy has a familiar ailment, and it’s all about money," 26 June 2018
Some openly speculated about whether the company was simply overcharging or the price tag included kickbacks to Mr. Rajapaksa.

— maria abi-habib, New York Times, "How China Got Sri Lanka to Cough Up a Port," 25 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'kickback.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of kickback

1920

in the meaning defined at sense 2

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite

kick back

verb

Definition of kick back

intransitive verb

: to assume a relaxed position or attitude; also : to spend time relaxing : take it easy

spent the weekend just kicking back

See kick back defined for kids

Examples of kick back in a Sentence

I plan to spend the day kicking back and watching television.
a good resort for people who want to kick back and watch others exercise strenuously

First Known Use of kick back

1972

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

kick back Synonyms

Synonyms

bum, chill, dally, dawdle, dillydally, goof (off), hack (around), hang (around or out), idle, kick around, laze, lazy, loaf, loll, lounge, veg out;

Near Antonyms

drudge, grind, grub, hump, hustle, labor, moil, peg, plod, plow, plug, slave, sweat, toil, travail, work;

apply, buckle (down);

exert, put out;

lag, linger, loiter, poke, relax, rest, tarry;

amble, mosey, saunter, stroll;

Phrases

kill time, twiddle one's thumbs;

Financial Definition of KICKBACK

kickback

noun

What It Is

A kickback is a method of bribery in which something of value is exchanged for a favorable decision.

How It Works

A kickback can take many forms, all of which are illegal. For example, a building contractor might give a portion of what he or she is paid to a government official who approved the building plans for the project. Or, a biomedical company might offer training, travel, or other benefits to doctors who recommend theev product to patients. Another example would be a financial institution that provides cash or bonuses to mortgage brokers who convince borrowers to select their services over another provider.

Why It Matters

There are a number of specific laws prohibiting kickbacks. For example, a payment to a US government official may trigger a fine of three times of value of the kickback and a prison sentence of up to 15 years. Bank kickbacks are prohibited under the Bank Bribery Amendments Act of 1985, which, in addition to the monetary fine, can also imprison offenders for up to 30 years. The Anti-Kickback Act of 1986 specifically prohibits government contractors from kickback schemes, and subjects violators to both civic and criminal charges.

Companies should steer clear of giving any special direct or indirect favors or making payments including finder's fees, gifts, and special payments to family or friends of a banker or government official. Such actions may be perceived as kickbacks and subject to penalties/punishment.

Source: Investing Answers