kicker

noun

Definition of kickernext
1
as in surprise

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words
2
as in quibbler

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 kicker After replacing Joshua Karty, Harrison Mevis established himself as a reliable and clutch kicker in the second half of the season and the playoffs. — Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026 Feely was the Jets’ starting place kicker — responsible for field goals, extra point kicks and kickoffs — in the 2008 and 2009 seasons. — Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026 Jay Feely, once a kicker for the New York Jets, will compete against physician Amish Shah in a high-profile House race in Arizona. — Gregory S. Schneider, Washington Post, 23 July 2026 Beyond the operational improvements Danaher is famous for, there is a classic David-versus-Goliath story waiting in the wings that could hand Danaher and investors a nice kicker. — Harvey Stober, CNBC, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for kicker
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicker
  1. surprise
  2. nitpicker
  3. kick
  4. crock
  5. revelation
  6. objector
  7. disclosure
  8. pessimist
Noun
  • The designers have only one day to create this look — no surprise there.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 31 July 2026
  • Nationwide, Democratic lawmakers have been making surprise visits to ICE detention facilities after a federal judge ruled in March that the Department of Homeland Security cannot bar members of Congress from conducting unannounced inspections.
    — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
Definition of surprise
Noun
  • Alas, nitpickers can point to some moves in which Atlanta went backward.
    — John Hollinger, New York Times, 1 May 2026
  • Maybe that’s why, compared with some other kinds of nitpickers, pop critics can seem especially extraneous.
    — Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Definition of nitpicker
Noun
  • The dirty vegan takes a different kick, with kale noodles in a savory, creamy vegan broth topped with corn, steamed tofu, rolled tofu skin, sliced green onions and seasonal vegetables.
    — Justin Brown, AJC.com, 26 July 2026
  • Muhammad Saidov announced himself with a head kick that folded Dustin Jacoby, and Sam Patterson bullied veteran Santiago Ponzinibbio before finishing him in the second.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
Definition of kick
Noun
  • This crock has plenty of room to keep every daily utensil conveniently on the counter, and it’s finished with a cork mat on the bottom to stay steady and protect your counters.
    — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 6 June 2026
  • Other appliances like toaster ovens, air fryers, and crock pots also pose a safety risk (especially if they’re not cleaned properly after use).
    — Emily Williams, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 June 2026
Definition of crock
Noun
  • The lawsuit and revelations about Cacioppo’s criminal history come amid a yearslong power struggle between Democratic-leaning Kansas City and Republican state officials in Jefferson City.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026
  • The revelation of Shadow’s possible perch-cute spurred an array of emotions from the family’s devotees.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026
Definition of revelation
Noun
  • The process involves a series of hearings in which election judges review signatures one-by-one, and typically requires the objector and the candidate to hire an attorney.
    — Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2026
  • After a two-year National Service stint as a hospital orderly (thanks to his own conscientious-objector status), Hockney landed at the Royal College of Art, in London, in the fall of 1959.
    — Mark Rozzo, Vanity Fair, 12 June 2026
Definition of objector
Noun
  • The 2012 disclosure law known as the STOCK Act required members to report any trades made by them or their brokers within 30 days.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 29 July 2026
  • In its own disclosure about the Hugging Face incident, however, OpenAI suggested some action had been taken internally.
    — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 29 July 2026
Definition of disclosure
Noun
  • Though the pessimists should be considered carefully, the latest Nobel laureates—awarded their prizes for their on work long-term growth—are optimistic.
    — Bill Conerly, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • But pessimists worry that companies are deferring the cost of massive spending, while front-loading the benefits.
    — Sarah Min, CNBC, 14 July 2026
Definition of pessimist

Browse Nearby Words

kicked upstairs
kicker
kickers
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Kicker.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicker. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on kicker

Nglish: Translation of kicker for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about kicker

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of spindrift

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All