1
as in screaming
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
he's been kicking all week about not getting the promotion
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in objecting
to present an opposing opinion or argument
fiscal conservatives have already started to kick about the proposed program, claiming it will increase the state's deficit substantially
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of kicking
After Eli Manning threw an interception against the Washington Redskins in 2016, Beckham swung his helmet at a kicking net, which returned with a shot in the face.
—
Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026
Another shot showed Ernest kicking a soccer ball in front of a white fence, while the next showed him with his older brother August, 5, walking down the street.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 31 May 2026
The group then surrounds the victim on the other side of the street and can be seen punching and kicking him.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
His father, who played professionally for Napoli in Serie A, told him stories about spending his childhood kicking a ball around on the street with other neighborhood kids.
—Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 30 May 2026
The third set in 1856 culminated in a game of kicking a ball with one’s foot.
—Thomas Adam, The Conversation, 29 May 2026
This year, Democrats are considering kicking New Hampshire out of the early window and replacing it with Delaware, which is more diverse and shares a media market with must-win Pennsylvania.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 29 May 2026
The rapper, whose real name is Joseph Foreman, recorded the aggressive raid on his home surveillance system in videos that showed officers riffling through cash and his CD collection and kicking down his door.
—Andrew Graham
may 28, Sacbee.com, 28 May 2026
One involved kicking a ball through a hole cut into a piece of wood, and Lamar Hunt had just as much fun trying as his 9-year-old son.
—Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026
Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026
Another shot showed Ernest kicking a soccer ball in front of a white fence, while the next showed him with his older brother August, 5, walking down the street.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 31 May 2026
The group then surrounds the victim on the other side of the street and can be seen punching and kicking him.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
His father, who played professionally for Napoli in Serie A, told him stories about spending his childhood kicking a ball around on the street with other neighborhood kids.
—Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 30 May 2026
The third set in 1856 culminated in a game of kicking a ball with one’s foot.
—Thomas Adam, The Conversation, 29 May 2026
This year, Democrats are considering kicking New Hampshire out of the early window and replacing it with Delaware, which is more diverse and shares a media market with must-win Pennsylvania.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 29 May 2026
The rapper, whose real name is Joseph Foreman, recorded the aggressive raid on his home surveillance system in videos that showed officers riffling through cash and his CD collection and kicking down his door.
—Andrew Graham
may 28, Sacbee.com, 28 May 2026
One involved kicking a ball through a hole cut into a piece of wood, and Lamar Hunt had just as much fun trying as his 9-year-old son.
—Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicking
Verb
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And watching the videos of the people jumping out of their chairs, screaming, cheering was so cool.—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
2 June 2026
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An exasperated Tomás enters the thicket himself to retrieve, among other items, Liam’s boot, and doesn’t emerge until the next day—not screaming, but fundamentally changed.—
Nora Biette-Timmons,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Riley wrote that his issue with Scorsese’s support of the technology wasn’t as much about objecting to the 83-year-old filmmaker using AI in his work, but rather about using his influence to push others into using it.—
Pat Saperstein,
Variety,
4 June 2026
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In 2023, the Rutgers University Senate had voted no confidence in Holloway, objecting to several of his actions, including not renewing the contract of Nancy Cantor, the popular chancellor of the Newark campus, and threatening to file an injunction against striking Rutgers faculty.—
Michael T. Nietzel,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Hegseth had some choice words for Europe, complaining that allies in the region hadn’t pulled their weight.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
30 May 2026
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Now in the possession of Kelly Kilpatrick (Cherry Jones), Deborah, dragging a complaining Ava with her as a kind of opposite beard, decides to con Kilpatrick and her wife Monica (Leslie Bibb).—
Rachel Elspeth Gross,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Verb
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Fires are common at Kenyan schools, with many set by students protesting harsh discipline and poor conditions, researchers have found.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
29 May 2026
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Two banners protesting against his leadership were removed by security during the 2-0 victory against Real Oviedo on May 14.—
Guillermo Rai,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Verb
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And how about the Liberty players and coaches whining about it?—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
-
In other words, the league no longer wants to be in the business of fining people for playing Cody Williams and John Konchar in the fourth quarter, or listening to other GMs whining about it.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Verb
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The process left Carruthers bleeding and moaning on May 21, according to the witness, Maria DeLiberato, senior counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union's Capital Punishment Project.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
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The stuff with a load of people wearing wigs moaning about taxes just isn’t seen as very glamorous.—
Sean Woods,
Rolling Stone,
25 May 2026
Verb
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An edgy confrontation The Rangers were still seething as Keenan attempted to address the team following a demoralizing 3-1 loss, with a few snapping back or muttering under their breath.—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
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On Tuesday, cameras caught Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing muttering something after looking back at the Giants’ Jung Hoo Lee, who was in discomfort after an awkward slide at home plate.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kicking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicking. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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