1
as in to debate
to give serious and careful thought to
the board spent the afternoon kicking around the feasibility of opening an overseas office
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to play
to spend time in aimless activity
I really can't do much but kick around at work until I get the rest of the submissions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to kill time
to spend time doing nothing
spent the afternoon kicking around, while his wife bought out the mall
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to roam
to move about from place to place aimlessly
after spending a year in Europe kicking around, the backpacker was ready to return home
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in to abuse
to inflict physical or emotional harm upon
children who were raised by an alcoholic father who regularly kicked them around
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of kick around
The bestselling novelist specializes in women who have been kicked around by life.
—
Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
Like Prince William and Kate Middleton often do on sportier engagements, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex showed off their soccer skills, kicking around a ball on Wednesday.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026
One of the ideas that has been kicked around is putting the playoff event in larger cities and more historic venues.
—Bob Buttitta, Oc Register, 23 Feb. 2026
The 49ers pick 27th in the first round, and packaging that pick with a second-rounder and a rotational player might be something Lynch and Shanahan would kick around.
—Vic Tafur, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for kick around
Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
Like Prince William and Kate Middleton often do on sportier engagements, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex showed off their soccer skills, kicking around a ball on Wednesday.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026
One of the ideas that has been kicked around is putting the playoff event in larger cities and more historic venues.
—Bob Buttitta, Oc Register, 23 Feb. 2026
The 49ers pick 27th in the first round, and packaging that pick with a second-rounder and a rotational player might be something Lynch and Shanahan would kick around.
—Vic Tafur, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for kick around
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kick around
Verb
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Policy experts have begun to debate whether the act applies to negotiations beyond free broadcast TV distribution.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Curriculum debates crop up occasionally.—
Heather Hollingsworth,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But Lemann, to her credit, does not play this for laughs.—
Brandy Jensen,
New Yorker,
8 Apr. 2026
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The two entered having played together in only 17 games this season, for a total of 249 minutes.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Instead, commissioners banned outdoor alcohol sales as well as the practice of allowing patrons to roam from bar to bar with cocktails in hand.—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Apr. 2026
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But each vessel, shares a similar platform and is meant to roam the high seas, with a 4,000-nautical-mile range that could carry its owner just about anywhere.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In his Easter homily, the pope singled out those who wage war, abuse the weak and prioritize profits.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
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Administrator Crystal Ruth switches on dozens of heat lamps that radiate a yellow hue to warm at least 80 disabled, abandoned or formerly abused animals that call the rescue home.—
Julian Camejo,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Panini originally entertained selling the company in 2025, which The Athletic chronicled in December.—
Larry Holder,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
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An adjacent nook offers space for a two-piece band, entertaining guests with live music both indoors and outside.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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And this fool is taking it with the fools around him.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
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And there’s this: No fooling around in mid-June and having a life event get in the way of the March Madness get-together nine months later.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Hill was arrested in August after he was spotted wandering Ventura Boulevard in Los Angeles in his underwear and cowboy boots.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
6 Apr. 2026
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During bouts of insomnia, Altman would wander by them in his pajamas.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That doesn't mean women never contemplate committing violence (and again, Emma never went through with her plan).—
Mike Miller,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Apr. 2026
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After staring down 30, experiencing a career lull, and contemplating quitting music altogether, the singer staked her future in the industry on the fate of her fourth record.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kick around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kick%20around. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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