1
as in relaxed
to refrain from labor or exertion
I plan to spend the day kicking back and watching television
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hacked (around)
to spend time doing nothing
a good resort for people who want to kick back and watch others exercise strenuously
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of kicked back
Cher’s adult son Elijah Blue Allman busted into a New Hampshire home over the weekend, and then kicked back on the couch with a cigarette, police said.
—
Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026
Although the regionalization had led to a deceleration in the growth of shipping costs throughout 2024 as the Everything Store aggressively embarked on its cost-cutting crusade, these expenses kicked back up into high gear throughout the 2025 fiscal year.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 6 Feb. 2026
Even if Senate Republicans conceded to breaking up the funding package, the bills would be kicked back to the House of Representatives, which is on a weeklong recess.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
But even if Senate Republicans conceded to breaking up the funding package, the bills would be kicked back to the House of Representatives, which is on a weeklong recess.
—Lori Comstock, The Providence Journal, 29 Jan. 2026
Gatlin paid an Atlanta audiovisual contractor $2 million, who then kicked back $1 million to her, according to court records.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 12 Dec. 2025
Conley drove, kicked back to Edwards, who hit Reid in the corner.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 7 Dec. 2025
Over a bite to eat, everybody kicked back and chatted it up a little.
—Jay Glennie, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2025
Everything froze in time until the ball crashed against the foul pole and kicked back into the playing field, making the stadium sound like the old place across the street sounded in the dynastic nineties.
—Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026
Although the regionalization had led to a deceleration in the growth of shipping costs throughout 2024 as the Everything Store aggressively embarked on its cost-cutting crusade, these expenses kicked back up into high gear throughout the 2025 fiscal year.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 6 Feb. 2026
Even if Senate Republicans conceded to breaking up the funding package, the bills would be kicked back to the House of Representatives, which is on a weeklong recess.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
But even if Senate Republicans conceded to breaking up the funding package, the bills would be kicked back to the House of Representatives, which is on a weeklong recess.
—Lori Comstock, The Providence Journal, 29 Jan. 2026
Gatlin paid an Atlanta audiovisual contractor $2 million, who then kicked back $1 million to her, according to court records.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 12 Dec. 2025
Conley drove, kicked back to Edwards, who hit Reid in the corner.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 7 Dec. 2025
Over a bite to eat, everybody kicked back and chatted it up a little.
—Jay Glennie, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2025
Everything froze in time until the ball crashed against the foul pole and kicked back into the playing field, making the stadium sound like the old place across the street sounded in the dynastic nineties.
—Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicked back
Verb
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No, but really, the military has relaxed some of their standards around aesthetics or other standards that kept some qualified people out, like tattoos.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Mar. 2026
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The apparent corner-cutting illustrates how top brass at Florida’s flagship law school relaxed longstanding safeguards to fast-track the state’s top legal official into its classrooms — even as Republican leaders in Tallahassee demand greater transparency and oversight of university instruction.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The jury will hear closing arguments on Wednesday afternoon after the government and defense rested and closed on Tuesday, the eleventh day of the trial The defense called no witnesses.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated March 11,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Porzingis had scored nine points, grabbed five rebounds and dished out five assists Saturday in Oklahoma City, and then rested against Utah.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Nearly 10 years since Palmer’s passing, Bhatia basked in the presence of the longtime tournament host.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
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The contest winner—a very tall lookalike in roller skates—basked in attention from park-going singles and rubberneckers just outside the North entrance.—
Madeline Hirsch,
InStyle,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
-
One of the things that have been kicked around is a one-time 5% tax on billionaires.—
Nicole Nixon,
Sacbee.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In the minority report, Democrats wrote that the fines in Skaug’s bill were excessive, that the bill chilled the ability of kids to express themselves, and that the committee heard only limited public testimony.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
11 Mar. 2026
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Serve chilled over ice with fresh strawberries to garnish.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Biel, who played so well in 2025 Charlotte FC brought him back on permanent transfer in 2026, received a pass from Ashley Westwood on a set play and fired a shot into the back of the net.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Mar. 2026
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The two teams played their Class 6A Division ll girls state championship basketball game at the Alamodome in San Antonio on March 7, 2026.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Rittenhouse admits to initially being bummed out to not be the murderer, only to quickly come around to preferring this outcome.—
Derek Lawrence,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Jan. 2026
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I'mPhaedra Trethan, bummed out about the passing of Raul Malo, lead singer of The Mavericks.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
9 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Nearby, people and their dogs who had moved into the shelter for the duration of the war lounged on air mattresses, scrolling through their phones.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
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Just days after hard-launching her relationship with French filmmaker Romain Gavras, EmRata lounged in a plunging plush white robe while wearing nothing but some sparkling loud luxury accessories.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kicked back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicked%20back. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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