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
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
There’s nothing wrong with spending your vacation at the beach, on a shopping spree in Paris or New York, or kicking back at a fishing cabin.
—Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
And while a little luxury is always welcome, at its heart, Belize’s appeal lies in slowing down, kicking back, and enjoying simple pleasures, cocooned in nature.
—Gemma Price, Travel + Leisure, 21 Dec. 2025
The Daily Dividend Earnings season is kicking back into high gear.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
The Book Club films that allowed audiences one last chance to savor this delightful movie star kicking back and letting her charisma carry a picture.
—Tim Grierson, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2025
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
There’s nothing wrong with spending your vacation at the beach, on a shopping spree in Paris or New York, or kicking back at a fishing cabin.
—Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
And while a little luxury is always welcome, at its heart, Belize’s appeal lies in slowing down, kicking back, and enjoying simple pleasures, cocooned in nature.
—Gemma Price, Travel + Leisure, 21 Dec. 2025
The Daily Dividend Earnings season is kicking back into high gear.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
The Book Club films that allowed audiences one last chance to savor this delightful movie star kicking back and letting her charisma carry a picture.
—Tim Grierson, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicking back
Verb
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Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, however, is not interested in resting on any laurels.—
Jonathan Hawkins,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
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Instead, keen-eyed visitors can spot resting harbor seals, shorebirds, and even a resident pair of bald eagles.—
Cu Fleshman,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Key Takeaways Sourdough bread contains peptides that might help lower blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels.—
Morgan Pearson,
Verywell Health,
16 Apr. 2026
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Step back from a noisy group chat to do something relaxing, because quiet helps practical insights rise.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Wildlife here is so prolific that guests aren’t permitted to walk about; rather they’re ferried about by safari vehicle, passing honking hippos, giant basking Nile crocodiles and huge numbers of butterflies and birds.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
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Some of the kinder ones would give a Christmas tip if the apprentices did a good job cleaning their boots but others, basking in the new money of the Premier League, preferred to peacock.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 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
-
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
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Although the likes of the Go Go’s and the Cars are present at times, the soundtrack as a whole seems too staid to provide a backdrop for ’80s kids kicking around in the heyday of punk.—
Gina Friedlande,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors open from the bedroom onto a private deck for morning yoga or simply lounging on rocking chairs, and from the living area to a smaller one to enjoy your evening tea on.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
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Perfect for lounging on a slow Sunday afternoon.—
Helena Madden,
Martha Stewart,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As for the 33,193 fans who sat through this bone-chilling night, most of them went home happy.—
Steve Buckley,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
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Authorities have not identified a suspect or motive, though the FBI released chilling doorbell camera video of an armed and masked man outside Nancy Guthrie’s home on the morning she was reported missing.—
Daniel Arkin,
NBC news,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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When the reports surfaced that the Saudis were cutting off LIV’s funding, the league was playing a tournament in Mexico City.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
23 Apr. 2026
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Promotion to League One in just their second attempt after taking 132 years to reach the EFL is one thing, but their playing style under former Brentford and Northampton goalkeeper Andy Woodman only adds to the curiosity around them.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kicking back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicking%20back. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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