1
as in complains
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
he's been kicking all week about not getting the promotion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in objects
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
1
as in thrills
a pleasurably intense stimulation of the feelings
I get a kick out of downhill skiing
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in joys
a source of great satisfaction
it was a kick for the parents to see their once-shy son star in a Broadway play
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in objections
a feeling or declaration of disapproval or dissent
nowadays there seem to be few words in the dictionary that do not raise a kick from one person or another
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in collisions
a forceful coming together of two things
I felt a kick in my hands as the jackhammer came roaring to life
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of kicks
Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 30 Jan. 2026
Other New Balance kicks worth snagging?
—Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 30 Jan. 2026
As the vehicle pulls slowly away, Pretti kicks at the taillight and then delivers a second kick that shatters the red plastic and leaves the taillight dangling.
—Michael Biesecker, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026
Pair these with a basic tee, jacket, and kicks to really let the jeans shine.
—Andrea Bossi, Refinery29, 29 Jan. 2026
This is where the movie’s horror genre kicks into high gear, with the aggrieved pastor enlisting a deliverance healer to rid his son and Ryan of their demons.
—Natalia Winkelman, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2026
Taylor’s death comes as the legislative season kicks into gear this month.
—Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 22 Jan. 2026
This pain could be very simple, a very simple conversation, that kicks something in you.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 21 Jan. 2026
Caroline Castrillon, the founder of Corporate Escape Artist and a senior careers contributor, kicks us off.
—Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 28 Jan. 2026
As Khloé attempted to pull the women apart, punches and kicks flew, and Kourtney slapped Kim across the face.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
Here’s what Wall Street is expecting as tech earnings season kicks into gear.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2026
Turpin returned 69 kicks for 1,814 yards in 2025.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 26 Jan. 2026
Follow her adventures in drinks, parenting and roundhouse kicks on Instagram at @thesocalwinegal.
—Devin Parr, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
The faux leather upper with gold accents give these kicks a touch of sophistication, while the 1-inch platform heel is just right for pairing with jeans, athletic pants, or a dress.
—Cathy Nelson, InStyle, 16 Jan. 2026
Football’s lawmakers will hold talks on how to combat deliberate time-wasting next week, with a countdown for throw-ins and goal-kicks and a time limit for substitutions being considered.
—Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Democratic candidate for governor Helena Foulkes is calling on her 2026 election rivals to renounce donations from lobbyists this year, just as the traditional political fundraising season kicks into high gear.
—Patrick Anderson, The Providence Journal, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
As the vehicle pulls away, Pretti kicks and breaks one of its rear taillights.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 30 Jan. 2026
Other New Balance kicks worth snagging?
—Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 30 Jan. 2026
As the vehicle pulls slowly away, Pretti kicks at the taillight and then delivers a second kick that shatters the red plastic and leaves the taillight dangling.
—Michael Biesecker, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026
Pair these with a basic tee, jacket, and kicks to really let the jeans shine.
—Andrea Bossi, Refinery29, 29 Jan. 2026
This is where the movie’s horror genre kicks into high gear, with the aggrieved pastor enlisting a deliverance healer to rid his son and Ryan of their demons.
—Natalia Winkelman, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2026
Taylor’s death comes as the legislative season kicks into gear this month.
—Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 22 Jan. 2026
This pain could be very simple, a very simple conversation, that kicks something in you.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 21 Jan. 2026
Caroline Castrillon, the founder of Corporate Escape Artist and a senior careers contributor, kicks us off.
—Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Noun
Traditional football is a physical game of tackles, kicks and dogpile-style efforts to stop opponents from advancing the ball down the field.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 28 Jan. 2026
As Khloé attempted to pull the women apart, punches and kicks flew, and Kourtney slapped Kim across the face.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
Here’s what Wall Street is expecting as tech earnings season kicks into gear.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2026
Turpin returned 69 kicks for 1,814 yards in 2025.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 26 Jan. 2026
Follow her adventures in drinks, parenting and roundhouse kicks on Instagram at @thesocalwinegal.
—Devin Parr, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
The faux leather upper with gold accents give these kicks a touch of sophistication, while the 1-inch platform heel is just right for pairing with jeans, athletic pants, or a dress.
—Cathy Nelson, InStyle, 16 Jan. 2026
Football’s lawmakers will hold talks on how to combat deliberate time-wasting next week, with a countdown for throw-ins and goal-kicks and a time limit for substitutions being considered.
—Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Democratic candidate for governor Helena Foulkes is calling on her 2026 election rivals to renounce donations from lobbyists this year, just as the traditional political fundraising season kicks into high gear.
—Patrick Anderson, The Providence Journal, 12 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicks
Verb
-
People tend to get involved once a problem becomes visible – when a price looks wrong, a transaction is flagged or a customer complains.—
Murugan Anandarajan,
The Conversation,
22 Jan. 2026
-
In any work setting, there’s a person who sits around the table and complains about what’s wrong with the company, and then, when the boss walks in, that same person is over there pouring coffee, quiet as a church mouse.—
Willie Colon,
New York Times,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Avoid sledding on city streets or where objects that people can run into are located.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The other depicts a series of scenes featuring various people and objects treading water amidst flaming wreckage.—
Douglas Markowitz,
Miami Herald,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
If thrills are more your thing, Santa Clara is home to California’s Great America, where families and adventure seekers can enjoy more than 40 rides and attractions.—
Michele Herrmann,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
As a fan of the 3rd-row luxury crossover SUV, Infiniti has always had an uphill battle with their sales figures given their pricing has been more expensive than their competitors while their interior and user experience has provided no real thrills.—
Marc D Grasso,
Hartford Courant,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Both trains offer luxury journeys that encourage passengers to partake in the joys of slow travel.—
Laura Itzkowitz,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Jan. 2026
-
But one of the biggest joys for the couple is how FreshCo is evolving into a true family business.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Heading into the week, Senate GOP leaders were forging ahead with the funding plan, beginning procedural steps Monday to put the full package of bills on the floor later this week despite objections from Democrats.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
In 2015, Suzuki found that Abe’s allies had signed off on the Church’s name change (to the Family Federation) over the objections of other government officials and civic groups.—
E. Tammy Kim,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The meters are intended to control the flow of traffic onto state highways to diminish slowdowns and collisions, said Nick Liccardo, a senior transportation engineer with the state Department of Transportation.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
31 Jan. 2026
-
In 2023, the California Office of Traffic Safety ranked Sutter County ninth and Yuba County eighth for injury collisions out of the state's 58 counties, placing the region among the highest in the state for fatal and injury crashes.—
Kayla Moeller,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Bill Belichick’s resume screams one-way ticket to Canton, Ohio, but when he wasn’t voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, many were left flabbergasted on Tuesday night.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The 360-degree design also allowed for the crowd’s screams to echo and fill the entirety of the Kia Forum.—
Kristine Kwak,
Rolling Stone,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Walz is asking anyone who protests to do so in a peaceful way.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Iran protests over collapsing economy spread to universities Iranian authorities offered conciliatory gestures in a bid to stem growing protests over the country’s collapsing economy.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
2 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kicks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicks. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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