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
Frederick Dreier, Outside, 18 Feb. 2026
The story kicks on a summer night in a small Swedish town.
—Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 17 Feb. 2026
But really this is just a game, a chance to taunt an opponent before his real plan kicks into gear.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Seattle Seahawks' kicker Jason Myers kicks a field goal during Super Bowl LX.
—CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
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
Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 19 Feb. 2026
What stays outside doesn’t make its way in, so if possible, keep your kicks outside.
—Nashia Baker, Martha Stewart, 19 Feb. 2026
Like wrestling, jiujitsu emphasizes takedowns, control and submission holds instead of punches or kicks.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
Peña and Verbinski then also got into the spirit, joining Richardson in a series of faux martial arts moves and high kicks.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
Try adding in a few other dynamic warm-up exercises like high knees, butt kicks, and lunges for a well-rounded pre-run routine, per USA Triathlon.
—Sarah Klein, Outside, 10 Feb. 2026
According to the company’s website, the robot can perform martial arts moves such as side kicks and a 360-degree aerial rotation.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026
Briefly, because Kane converted those two spot kicks against Hoffenheim on Sunday, moving him up to eight for the year.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
In a video posted on Instagram on Thursday, Vonn squats with weights, lunges from side to side and does fast kicks against a ball.
—Michal Ruprecht, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
Or, that of the athlete who kicks butt in the regular season, only to wilt in the playoffs.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 18 Feb. 2026
The story kicks on a summer night in a small Swedish town.
—Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 17 Feb. 2026
But really this is just a game, a chance to taunt an opponent before his real plan kicks into gear.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Seattle Seahawks' kicker Jason Myers kicks a field goal during Super Bowl LX.
—CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
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
Noun
The leopard-print kicks feature an exaggerated tongue that adds a stylish flair to the already eye-catching shoes.
—Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 19 Feb. 2026
What stays outside doesn’t make its way in, so if possible, keep your kicks outside.
—Nashia Baker, Martha Stewart, 19 Feb. 2026
Like wrestling, jiujitsu emphasizes takedowns, control and submission holds instead of punches or kicks.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
Peña and Verbinski then also got into the spirit, joining Richardson in a series of faux martial arts moves and high kicks.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
Try adding in a few other dynamic warm-up exercises like high knees, butt kicks, and lunges for a well-rounded pre-run routine, per USA Triathlon.
—Sarah Klein, Outside, 10 Feb. 2026
According to the company’s website, the robot can perform martial arts moves such as side kicks and a 360-degree aerial rotation.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026
Briefly, because Kane converted those two spot kicks against Hoffenheim on Sunday, moving him up to eight for the year.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
In a video posted on Instagram on Thursday, Vonn squats with weights, lunges from side to side and does fast kicks against a ball.
—Michal Ruprecht, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicks
Verb
-
Every once in a while, a customer complains about the lascivious photos in the loo, but The Charles’ owners brush it off.—
Sarah Blaskovich,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
More funds would continue to be diverted to maintaining borrowing—something Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio often complains about.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
These objects’ whole shtick, after all, is gobbling up stuff, so two of them trying to eat each other feels inevitable.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
13 Feb. 2026
-
These steps have led to us seeing not merely our world, but also, by extension, objects well beyond our world, in greater detail than would have been possible without gathering sufficient amounts of light across multiple wavelengths.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
After 33 years of runaway thrills through the Ozark Mountains, one of Missouri’s most beloved roller coasters is preparing for its final descent.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Serpell observes that even Pecola thrills to eruptions of beauty on a familiar rundown street that otherwise go unseen.—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Guy, as Sinclair is known on the show, sells to everyone, stressed-out 20-something assistant and cross-dressing stay-at-home dad alike, witnessing their private joys and pains and shortcomings and judging no one.—
Ezra Marcus,
Vulture,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The message is that poor and working-class families don’t deserve to make their own choices or pursue even the small joys of a soda or sweet.—
Laura Washington,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Top Army officials, over Hegseth’s objections, decided to keep Butler in the promotion queue during the past year.—
Missy Ryan,
The Atlantic,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Some pointed to the modern-day resurgence of antisemitism as justification for their objections.—
Jackie Hajdenberg,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The giant animals are protected by a vessel speed rule that requires large ships to slow down at certain times to avoid collisions, which is a leading cause of death for the whales.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Vehicle collisions are the leading cause of death for the state’s wolves.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Yet, everything about the Detroit Red Wings captain and his complete game screams winner.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Nothing screams ‘yesterday’s man’ (or woman) like talking about kaizens and lean manufacturing.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Trevor protests the corridors ahead are filled with guards, motion sensors, and biometric security—but Simon has figured another way out.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Iran protests spark reaction abroad Videos of demonstrations have stopped coming out of Iran, likely signaling the slowdown of their pace under the heavy security force presence in major cities.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kicks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicks. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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