1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

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 Windham needed a kicker; the Whippets hadn’t had one for a few years. — Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 14 Sep. 2026 Sherman Oaks Notre Dame has another top kicker in junior Charles Szares. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026 Titans kicker Joey Slye pushed the opening kickoff out of bounds for a penalty, and Saleh had to call a timeout to avoid a penalty for 12 men on the field. — ABC News, 13 Sep. 2026 Today’s Four Questions interviewees are Pickens coach Craig Bennett and Pickens junior kicker Toccoa McGraw. — Caitlyn Stroh-Page, AJC.com, 11 Sep. 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
  • Because every moment is narrated in Ugandan Sign Language and International Sign, Deaf travelers are more deeply immersed in the experience, and a welcome hush falls over the environment—which is, surprise, appreciated by the wildlife too.
    — CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026
  • The killings typically played out in similar ways, with the victims – all strangers to Scott – approached while isolated and then apparently shot by surprise.
    — Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 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 Knights were forced to settle for a 24-yard field goal by Stone, his third kick of the game.
    — Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Catch us whipping up this tangy version with goat cheese that delivers a slight kick.
    — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of kick
Noun
  • These crocks and trays can be kept out on the counter for easy access while finishing off a sizzling steak in the skillet or stored in the fridge for firmer sticks.
    — Clara Hillis, Architectural Digest, 18 Aug. 2026
  • What To Store On Your Counter Utensil Crock Keep a utensil crock next to your cooktop for making meal prep a breeze.
    — Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 31 July 2026
Definition of crock
Noun
  • There is a big revelation less than halfway into the show, one that might even count as a plot twist, and thus something not to be spoiled… if not for the fact that virtually every synopsis in the last 70 years has included it in the first sentence.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026
  • One of the revelations in this book is that Endeavor was founded, in your words, on a lie.
    — Lane Brown, Vulture, 23 Sep. 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
  • According to the company, its report contract draws on data from Kalshi’s API, PitchBook’s internal data, Dune databases, government filings, management commentary, and public peers’ disclosures.
    — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Cheap blankets without those disclosures may not be worth the discount.
    — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of disclosure
Noun
  • My favourite part of this exercise is seeing the distribution of optimists and pessimists.
    — Janson Duench, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Some pessimists think Chalamet may be vulnerable to poaching given recent headlines, but others reject the idea.
    — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 26 Aug. 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 25 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on kicker

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 tactile

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 25
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
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
crayons-in-a-circle
Guess the Color Quiz Questions that use the whole box of crayons.
See All