1
as in resting
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 hanging (around or out)
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 kicking back
The game will kick off the Labor Day weekend slate, which is probably a good thing for those of you trying to get the game out of the way before kicking back the rest of the weekend.
—
Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
The first half of the event includes activities that participants rotate through then make a splash in the pool or spend time kicking back, listening to music or completing an art project.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Spend your mornings kicking back on Biloxi Beach or Long Beach, perhaps flying a kite and enjoying a picnic lunch.
—Kara Williams, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Sometimes there’s no better way to spend a spring day than kicking back on your porch—or deck, or patio, or stoop—and simply taking it all in, perhaps even with a refreshing beverage in hand.
—Joseph Erbentraut, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Apr. 2026
Year-round warm weather, hitting the links, and kicking back with the grandkids has long been the quintessential American retirement dream.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
This has a similar curved design, and the chenille-like fabric lends this a coziness for kicking back and curling up.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 3 Mar. 2026
The real issue is the compressor cycling off and then kicking back on, which can be abrupt enough to wake you.
—Larry Magid, Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2026
Instead, the board opts for the happy-go-lucky concert attendee kicking back a beer or two as its foil to scary THC use.
—Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
The first half of the event includes activities that participants rotate through then make a splash in the pool or spend time kicking back, listening to music or completing an art project.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Spend your mornings kicking back on Biloxi Beach or Long Beach, perhaps flying a kite and enjoying a picnic lunch.
—Kara Williams, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Sometimes there’s no better way to spend a spring day than kicking back on your porch—or deck, or patio, or stoop—and simply taking it all in, perhaps even with a refreshing beverage in hand.
—Joseph Erbentraut, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Apr. 2026
Year-round warm weather, hitting the links, and kicking back with the grandkids has long been the quintessential American retirement dream.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
This has a similar curved design, and the chenille-like fabric lends this a coziness for kicking back and curling up.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 3 Mar. 2026
The real issue is the compressor cycling off and then kicking back on, which can be abrupt enough to wake you.
—Larry Magid, Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2026
Instead, the board opts for the happy-go-lucky concert attendee kicking back a beer or two as its foil to scary THC use.
—Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicking back
Verb
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Suitable gifts for this guy—a barbecue blanket for resting meats, or a selection of dry rubs geared to smoking.—
Catharine Kaufman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
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Once onboard your pet, both male and female fleas feed at the first opportunity, typically when your pet is resting, says Benson.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
28 May 2026
Verb
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In the Executive and Premier One-Bedroom Suites, a separate living room adds a place for gathering or relaxing while someone else is asleep.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 2026
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Nestled right in the heart of the Uptown neighborhood, this two-bedroom Magic Cottage will give you a taste of Victorian flair with its original architectural details and two living rooms (one for relaxing, and another for pre-dinner drinks).—
Erika Owen,
Architectural Digest,
30 May 2026
Verb
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Summer is coming, which means more time spent by the pool and basking in the sun.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
29 May 2026
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Felix Rosenqvist is basking in his big Indianapolis 500 win with his little one.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
26 May 2026
Verb
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In 2019, city employees began hanging about 500 trick-or-treat pumpkin buckets in the trees on Main Street every October.—
Elliott Harrell,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Oct. 2025
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Orion Nebula Those viewing from a dark sky location may also notice a blurry patch of light hanging about 5 degrees below Orion's belt.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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There are a few great Star Wars arcade games still kicking around, but this one is my personal favorite.—
Alex James Kane,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
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Odenkirk and Kolstad have begun kicking around ideas for extending the character into an ongoing franchise.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In the lounging room, a menu of alkaline, mineral, and infused waters is available.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
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While Europeans love to show off their pride with their favorite team’s jerseys, our North American equivalent could be considered the comfortable hoodie—ideal for couch lounging while streaming the game.—
Gretta Monahan,
Boston Herald,
3 June 2026
Verb
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For longer storage, ripe tomatoes can be kept in the refrigerator, but note that chilling can dull their flavor and change their texture.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
22 May 2026
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After chilling overnight, the patties are seared on a flattop to medium-rare for a crispy, peppery crust and smoky, juicy interior.—
Sam Flemming,
AJC.com,
20 May 2026
Verb
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New York leads, 12-7, after a pair of early 3-pointers and by playing fast to try to get ahead of the defense of Victor Wembanyama.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
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Hanging on his wall as inspiration was a rhapsodic review of My Left Foot, which earned Daniel Day-Lewis his first Oscar for playing a guy with cerebral palsy.—
Lacey Rose,
HollywoodReporter,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kicking back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicking%20back. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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