kickback

1 of 2

noun

kick·​back ˈkik-ˌbak 

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

kick back

2 of 2

verb

kicked back; kicking back; kicks back

intransitive verb

: to assume a relaxed position or attitude

also : to spend time relaxing : take it easy

spent the weekend just kicking back

Synonyms of kickback

Verb

• relax
• rest
• bask

Examples of kickback in a Sentence

Noun

Several company executives were accused of accepting kickbacks.

Verb

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

More recently, Flynn criticized Councilor Sharon Durkan for suggesting last month that pulling back Council raises would lead to more corruption on the body like the recent federal bust of ex-Councilor Fernandes Anderson for a $7,000 kickback scheme. —Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 13 June 2026

Herek’s business received kickbacks from Kochen in exchange for patient referrals and medical prescriptions. —Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 10 June 2026

Verb

Well … that’s where my skepticism kicks back in. —Emma Sarappo, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026

With their mandatory minicamp wrapping up on Thursday, the Chicago Bears get some time to rest before offseason programming kicks back into gear. —Jayna Bardahl, New York Times, 11 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1920, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1972, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing kickback

• anti-kickback

Rhymes for kickback

• aback
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback
• cutback

Kids Definition

kickback

1 of 2 noun

kick·​back ˈkik-ˌbak 

: a secret return of part of a sum of money received

kick back

2 of 2 verb

: relax sense 4

Legal Definition

kickback

noun

kick·​back ˈkik-ˌbak 

: a payment (as of money or property) made to one in a position to open up or control a source of income for the payor

convicted of receiving kickbacks for referrals

compare bribe, payoff

Note: A kickback is specifically a payment for income received or to be received. The word is usually not restricted to a return of funds.