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
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
Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 18 June 2026
As temperatures rise, Atlanta’s summer festival season kicks into full gear.
—Kaitlyn Harvey, AJC.com, 17 June 2026
Dan, the big blond, kicks every drunk that comes near him.
—Dolores Brown, Outdoor Life, 17 June 2026
Since the coil is continuously damp during operation, even a small amount of buildup can cause a noticeably musty smell when the AC initially kicks on.
—Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 15 June 2026
This work fundamentally kicks the can of water conservation down the road, and some directors of the district readily acknowledge this.
—Allen Best, Denver Post, 14 June 2026
Corner kicks, for example, may feel a bit random, but some teams do draw them more than others.
—Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 11 June 2026
This element not only delivers plush cushioning but also retains energy for a certain kind of springiness that kicks fatigue to the curb.
—Oscar Hartzog, Footwear News, 10 June 2026
Mostly depleted, the electrons then reach photosystem I, where another burst of sunshine kicks the flow back into high gear.
—Quanta Magazine, 10 June 2026
Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026
As the Diamonds’ season kicks into gear, Ricard aims to maintain the mindset that made her one of the best mid-major pitchers in the country.
—Kansas City Star, 18 June 2026
Jake Moody and undrafted rookie Drew Stevens had an inconsistent day of kicking, with Moody missing multiple kicks.
—Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 17 June 2026
Kant retains a place of honor; Heidegger gets a few farewell kicks.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
Unlike chunky athletic shoes, which can overpower an outfit, the star’s European-style kicks are slick and low-profile like Quince’s.
—Christina Shepherd McGuire, PEOPLE, 14 June 2026
Longoria’s exact Japan Low-Top kicks are still in stock, and they’re bound to become the sneakers of the season.
—Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 12 June 2026
With spot kicks like those, a certain recent Champions League finalist would’ve surely benefited from having this penalty-taking machine on their side.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 10 June 2026
Kyle Vaughn’s considerable physical presence generated some surprise gasps from the audience at the pronounced extension with his leg kicks.
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 9 June 2026
Verb
Non-inverter ACs have a more dramatic on and off sound when the compressor kicks on and off.
—Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 18 June 2026
As temperatures rise, Atlanta’s summer festival season kicks into full gear.
—Kaitlyn Harvey, AJC.com, 17 June 2026
Dan, the big blond, kicks every drunk that comes near him.
—Dolores Brown, Outdoor Life, 17 June 2026
Since the coil is continuously damp during operation, even a small amount of buildup can cause a noticeably musty smell when the AC initially kicks on.
—Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 15 June 2026
This work fundamentally kicks the can of water conservation down the road, and some directors of the district readily acknowledge this.
—Allen Best, Denver Post, 14 June 2026
Corner kicks, for example, may feel a bit random, but some teams do draw them more than others.
—Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 11 June 2026
This element not only delivers plush cushioning but also retains energy for a certain kind of springiness that kicks fatigue to the curb.
—Oscar Hartzog, Footwear News, 10 June 2026
Mostly depleted, the electrons then reach photosystem I, where another burst of sunshine kicks the flow back into high gear.
—Quanta Magazine, 10 June 2026
Noun
Meanwhile, Clark looked flashy rocking her brand-new signature Nike kicks, dropping 26 points and seven assists.
—Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026
As the Diamonds’ season kicks into gear, Ricard aims to maintain the mindset that made her one of the best mid-major pitchers in the country.
—Kansas City Star, 18 June 2026
Jake Moody and undrafted rookie Drew Stevens had an inconsistent day of kicking, with Moody missing multiple kicks.
—Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 17 June 2026
Kant retains a place of honor; Heidegger gets a few farewell kicks.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
Unlike chunky athletic shoes, which can overpower an outfit, the star’s European-style kicks are slick and low-profile like Quince’s.
—Christina Shepherd McGuire, PEOPLE, 14 June 2026
Longoria’s exact Japan Low-Top kicks are still in stock, and they’re bound to become the sneakers of the season.
—Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 12 June 2026
With spot kicks like those, a certain recent Champions League finalist would’ve surely benefited from having this penalty-taking machine on their side.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 10 June 2026
Kyle Vaughn’s considerable physical presence generated some surprise gasps from the audience at the pronounced extension with his leg kicks.
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 9 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicks
Verb
-
But today nobody complains about the cost of his castles.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
8 June 2026
-
Never says a word, never complains about it, right?—
Anderson Cooper,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
The Lotus bangles exemplify that thinking—open, architectural lines invite light to pass through the forms, casting reflections and subtle tonal variations as the wrist moves—objects made to engage naturally with the body.—
Jill Newman,
Robb Report,
18 June 2026
-
The purpose of any heat shield is to be sure the extreme temperatures that objects hitting Earth’s atmosphere experience don’t harm the crew or cargo inside the vehicle.—
Margaret Landis,
The Conversation,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
Getting to shoot the action sequences, getting to play those moments of high intensity, the thrills, the suspense, that was such a joy.—
Carita Rizzo,
Deadline,
15 June 2026
-
Through two-and-a-half seasons, there have been a few thrills and plenty of VFX wizardry, but little innovation in storytelling or relevance.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
Reporting assignments can often lead to unexpected joys and lessons.—
Ava Berger,
NPR,
13 June 2026
-
His adoption rides are helping open other minds to the joys of pet adoption, too.—
Jen Reeder,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Huang made his case as AI has emerged as a political flashpoint, with objections to plans to build more data centers and fears that the speed with which it’s being adopted could spur the layoffs of workers who might not have a safety net.—
Josh Boak,
Fortune,
17 June 2026
-
Add to that Wednesday’s reversal, when Republican legislative leaders rejected Kemp’s push to overhaul Georgia’s political boundaries during a special session despite the governor’s objections.—
Greg Bluestein,
AJC.com,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
Train collisions are relatively rare in Britain.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
-
At least two vehicle collisions involving ICE arrests have been reported in the Chicago area in the last month.—
Laura Rodríguez Presa,
Chicago Tribune,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
The Callback 8020’s app policy screams digital minimalism.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
16 June 2026
-
Mariska Hargitay screams with excitement when the New York Knicks defeat the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals Game 4 in New York City on June 10.—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Investigators ask for patience after video sparks protests The police department provided the findings of the investigation to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation for an independent review of any criminal violations, Fraser said.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kicks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicks. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
