kicking back

verb

present participle of kick back
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

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 kicking back But instead of kicking back, Nadal’s been busy building a hotel empire. — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 7 July 2026 Maybe that means kicking back by the pool with a refreshing summer drink in hand or treating yourself to a creative spin on a classic hot dog from one of these five Atlanta spots. — Nicole Bennett, AJC.com, 4 July 2026 Here’s an outdoor lounge chair that naturally supports kicking back with a matching ottoman. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 27 June 2026 There’s something about just kicking back at home, watching the matches with loved ones, and pulling out some games that center on sports. — Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 10 June 2026 Madix also loves kicking back at the day clubs, with her top picks encompassing a range of experiences. — Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 8 June 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicking back
  1. resting
  2. hanging about
  3. relaxing
  4. kicking around
  5. basking
  6. lounging
  7. chilling
  8. playing
Verb
  • Armand assures him that Lestat’s not dead and simply resting before the concert, though Louis has no reason to believe this.
    — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • The Kings again chose not to play Acuff, second-year guard Nique Clifford and second-year center Maxime Raynaud after resting them in Wednesday’s loss to the Boston Celtics.
    — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 18 July 2026
Definition of resting
Verb
  • President James Garfield’s assassin, Charles Guiteau, died by hanging about five months after he was convicted of murder.
    — USA Today, USA Today, 17 June 2026
  • 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
Definition of hanging about
Verb
  • For honeymooners seeking a relaxing post-wedding respite or duos in need of a quick getaway, the property's cozy cabins overlooking the Shenandoah Valley are the answer.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 July 2026
  • My advice is to visit sooner rather than later, and enjoy walking the villages, exploring the landscape, relaxing with a cider, and marveling at the surroundings.
    — Nigel Hack, Travel + Leisure, 21 July 2026
Definition of relaxing
Verb
  • Within the venue gates but outside the stands, groups of friends were playing cornhole and having picnic dinners from food trucks parked onsite; older attendees were chatting and kids were kicking around mini soccer balls.
    — Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 7 July 2026
  • Some of the finer moments for Nemes in the studio were during rehearsals, when the band was just kicking around ideas and jamming.
    — Tina Eves, SPIN, 1 July 2026
Definition of kicking around
Verb
  • The Toronto Blue Jays entered this season basking in the glow of a World Series run.
    — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 15 July 2026
  • By the end of the night, the room full of sweaty bodies was left basking in the gift of Madonna, feeling just one small sliver of a wider moment that has gone on to completely transcend conventional pop expectation.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 14 July 2026
Definition of basking
Verb
  • For tennis lessons, swinging at the driving range, and even lounging on the couch, this skort works for a range of occasions.
    — Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026
  • The scoop neck and open back give the suit a flirty feel without sacrificing security, making this pick ideal for swimming and poolside lounging alike.
    — Alexandra Malmed, InStyle, 16 July 2026
Definition of lounging
Verb
  • Key steps include cooling the chocolate mixture, dropping the pan mid-bake to release air, and chilling the brownies.
    — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 July 2026
  • The standout interlude is the soldiers’ visit to the island domain of Circe, a treacherous witch played with deceptive calm and a misleading air of distraction by a bone-chilling Samantha Morton.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026
Definition of chilling
Verb
  • Even with their side trip to Utah, Memphis had four of the top seven players in minutes in Vegas, helped by playing a sixth game in the championship.
    — John Hollinger, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Only the two teams that make the championship game playing a sixth game, but the Heat is likely out of the mix for the championship game with two losses in Las Vegas.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
Definition of playing

Browse Nearby Words

kicking around
kicking back
kicking butt
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Cite this Entry

“Kicking back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicking%20back. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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