KICKS Synonyms: 224 Similar and Opposite Words

kicks 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of kick

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

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

kicks

2 of 2

noun

plural of kick

as in thrills

a pleasurably intense stimulation of the feelings I get a kick out of downhill skiing

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

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

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 kicks

Verb

Read kicks this tale off with a meet-cute and an unconventional relationship, but finds authentic emotion and real social issues to power the characters’ journeys forward. — Katie Walsh, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026 The idea is apparently that 101 women will dress up like princesses and vie to be Mark’s girlfriend; once the situation becomes predictably awkward, Mark seemingly deems the night a bust and kicks everyone out. — Jeremy Gordon, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026 When Schaesta Ama outs him and kicks him out of their home, Payam comes to Mansur’s aide (albeit temporarily) but does not invite him up into his caste for more than an afternoon. — Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026 And as the partnership kicks into gear, Salomon is focused on its big moment in Kona next year with an event at this year’s championship. — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026 The atom kicks itself out of the game The first problem is recoil. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026 Not only is Wilson joining the broadcast to make her picks, but the Grammy-winning artist will also perform the national anthem before the game kicks off and the marching band kicks into gear. — Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 4 Sep. 2026 Goal kicks and throw-ins Players are expected to keep moving so these restarts happen quickly. — Graham Scott, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 Senior Oliver Brewer, who also kicks for the football team, has been a mainstay in goal. — Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026

Noun

This is not a bet that Robinson will return kicks for the Falcons this year. — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026 The sleek kicks have a classic silhouette and lightweight design that won’t feel heavy or bulky, even after all-day wear. — Kaitlin Gates, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2026 Those whose feet are wont to slip out of their kicks while in motion will be happy to know that the Novablast 6’s tongue and overall construction locks the entire foot in without constriction. — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026 The kicks boast a monochromic style down to their laces and outsoles. — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 29 Aug. 2026 The system allows robots to execute complex maneuvers, including cartwheels, spin kicks, sports movements, and acrobatics, without requiring separate training for each task. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026 Sanders was even worse, converting only 2-of-5 kicks, missing from 38, 43 and 54 yards. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 25 Aug. 2026 Which is part of why one of his points of emphasis in this training camp has been on the intermediate kicks — from 40 to 50 yards out. — Kansas City Star, 23 Aug. 2026 Rodrigues, showcasing superior strength and resilience, landed powerful calf kicks and strikes, though Hernandez mounted a strong comeback attempt in the third round. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicks

Verb

There’ll always be someone who doesn’t like it, who complains about it.

— Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026
Erin then complains about her daughter and drones on about all sorts of things that no one can even pretend to care about.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of complains

Verb

Today, his lab is building a larger version of the QGI experiment that puts nanodiamonds into the same superposition—objects 10 orders of magnitude heavier than atoms, massive enough to warp spacetime around themselves.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026
Roberts disagreed with the majority of his colleagues about whether the National Trust for Historic Preservation – which objects to the design of the ballroom – can meet the legal standard for showing it would be sufficiently harmed by the project.

— Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of objects

Noun

There will be cheer and thrills and profits generated by the burgeoning technology in the years to come.

— Michael Santoli, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026
The beloved original delivered plenty of twists, thrills, and chills, courtesy of director Griffin Dunne and Alice Hoffman, who wrote the novels the 1998 and 2026 films are based on.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of thrills

Noun

Israel robs children of their smallest joys because joy is the seed of hope, and that is how the body learns that captivity is not the natural condition of life.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero Jack Grealish (Everton) One of the great joys of last season was the sight of Jack Grealish getting approximately 75 per cent of his groove back on loan at Everton.

— David Ornstein, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of joys

Noun

No objections were raised at the time, and the ICA president selected the four judges that worked on this hearing panel.

— Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Judge Sullivan questioned the jurors one by one, removed none, and, on Friday morning, over the defense’s objections, refused to investigate further.

— Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of objections

Verb

Standing in the backyard of a house situated near a neighboring golf course, rider screams are certainly audible, and residents said the consistency of them is destroying their quality of life.

— Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
There were hugs and high fives, and jubilant screams from a winning locker room could be heard clearly in the adjacent news conference room and by anyone walking through the hallway.

— Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of screams

Verb

Copycat protests sprang up in other major Indian cities—Kolkata, Mumbai and Patna—lending the Gen Z protests the aura of a nationwide youth resistance that would humble Modi and force his education minister to resign.

— Asim Ali, Time, 1 Aug. 2026
Protest Passion Project The Climb was first unveiled by Beta Cinema at the European Film Market in February 2022, with Delevingne (Carnival Row) attached as a daredevil climber who protests against oil drilling in the Arctic by ascending The Shard.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 3 June 2026