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
Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
The female security guard moves past the male security guard and kicks the young woman in the head.
—Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2026
The band kicks things off in Mexico on March 15, and will hit Medellín, Barcelona, London, and Milan before coming back stateside.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2026
Quiche is a classic Easter brunch dish, but this recipe kicks things up a notch with the addition of crispy hash browns, bacon, and bright asparagus.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2026
Ramona Girls soccer After the Bulldogs took a 5-4 lead in sudden-death penalty kicks, the junior keeper blocked a University City shot to give Ramona the victory in the section Division 3 title game.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
On Wednesday, Group C kicks of with Japan against Taiwan and Vietnam against India in Perth.
—ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026
The Premier upgrade kicks things up a notch, with access to an exclusive lounge car, a private outdoor viewing area, and elevated dining and host service.
—Jessica Poitevien, Travel + Leisure, 25 Feb. 2026
O'Donnell kicks things off with America's founding document – the one declaring independence and bearing the names of 56 founding fathers … and one very brave woman.
—Mo Rocca, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2026
Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 24 Mar. 2026
As spring break kicks into high gear, the federal government is reportedly considering closures of smaller airports.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
Cordell Walker, a steely-eyed former Marine who dispensed Lone Star justice with roundhouse kicks and a decidedly old-school moral code.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026
With his roundhouse kicks, tough-guy one-liners and a formidable moral compass, Chuck Norris delivered kick-ass heroes for years on screens large and small, cementing himself in pop culture back in the 1980s.
—Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Bielle-Biarrey connected with grubber kicks by Ramos and Matthieu Jalibert to get France away to 14-5.
—ABC News, 14 Mar. 2026
The low-profile kicks will serve as mainstays in my spring outfit rotation—and far beyond.
—Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 13 Mar. 2026
Coverage and blocking units can certainly impact the length and security of kicks, as well as returns.
—Sam Warren, Houston Chronicle, 11 Mar. 2026
The purposeful kicks counter her body’s buoyancy, bringing her down to about 30 feet, then to neutral buoyancy for 10 more feet, and, finally, to negative buoyancy—or freefall, sinking—below 50 to 60 feet.
—Stella Fong, Outside, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
In the video, Mortensen films as Paul hits and kicks him.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
The female security guard moves past the male security guard and kicks the young woman in the head.
—Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2026
The band kicks things off in Mexico on March 15, and will hit Medellín, Barcelona, London, and Milan before coming back stateside.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2026
Quiche is a classic Easter brunch dish, but this recipe kicks things up a notch with the addition of crispy hash browns, bacon, and bright asparagus.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2026
Ramona Girls soccer After the Bulldogs took a 5-4 lead in sudden-death penalty kicks, the junior keeper blocked a University City shot to give Ramona the victory in the section Division 3 title game.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
On Wednesday, Group C kicks of with Japan against Taiwan and Vietnam against India in Perth.
—ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026
The Premier upgrade kicks things up a notch, with access to an exclusive lounge car, a private outdoor viewing area, and elevated dining and host service.
—Jessica Poitevien, Travel + Leisure, 25 Feb. 2026
O'Donnell kicks things off with America's founding document – the one declaring independence and bearing the names of 56 founding fathers … and one very brave woman.
—Mo Rocca, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2026
Noun
After a barrage of punches, kicks, and throws—all set to a Limp Bizkit song—the 72-year-old flexes his muscles while flames shoot out around him.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 24 Mar. 2026
As spring break kicks into high gear, the federal government is reportedly considering closures of smaller airports.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
Cordell Walker, a steely-eyed former Marine who dispensed Lone Star justice with roundhouse kicks and a decidedly old-school moral code.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026
With his roundhouse kicks, tough-guy one-liners and a formidable moral compass, Chuck Norris delivered kick-ass heroes for years on screens large and small, cementing himself in pop culture back in the 1980s.
—Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Bielle-Biarrey connected with grubber kicks by Ramos and Matthieu Jalibert to get France away to 14-5.
—ABC News, 14 Mar. 2026
The low-profile kicks will serve as mainstays in my spring outfit rotation—and far beyond.
—Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 13 Mar. 2026
Coverage and blocking units can certainly impact the length and security of kicks, as well as returns.
—Sam Warren, Houston Chronicle, 11 Mar. 2026
The purposeful kicks counter her body’s buoyancy, bringing her down to about 30 feet, then to neutral buoyancy for 10 more feet, and, finally, to negative buoyancy—or freefall, sinking—below 50 to 60 feet.
—Stella Fong, Outside, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicks
Verb
-
At one point in the documentary, Suga, one of the group’s rappers, complains that there is too much English on the album.—
Mitch Therieau,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Everyone complains about how expensive EVs are.—
Joel Feder,
The Drive,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This is what the National Center for Law and Economic Justice objects to.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
-
If even one property owner objects, the city requires a public hearing before anything can proceed.—
Dante Motley,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Expect bells-and-whistles orchestral shows full of the oddball jokes, elaborate choreographies, and technological thrills that have made the Talking Heads frontman’s recent live show the biggest boon of his solo career.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Hennessey also discovered the unexpected thrills inherent in creating 19th century Old West reality.—
Stephen Schaefer,
Boston Herald,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
At home, the family still enjoys the simple joys of cooking.—
Jenna Thompson
March 27,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Among the best-selling books of all time (after the Bible, naturally), Harry Potter is a cultural touchpoint and lingua franca for tens of millions of readers worldwide — one that, for many of the attendees, served as their first introduction to the joys of reading.—
Séamas O'Reilly,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Republicans’ stated objections to the bill, however, dealt mostly with other sections that were unrelated to the legality of plug-in solar devices.—
John Moritz,
Hartford Courant,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The European Southern Observatory (ESO), an international astronomy research organization that operates some of the world's largest telescopes, has also filed objections against the two proposals.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Traffic collisions totaled 1,404, a 25% increase from 2024 and 10 traffic fatalities, compared to six in 2024.—
Camryn Dadey,
Sacbee.com,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Alongside these head-on collisions, particles also produce a constant stream of near-miss events.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
An explosion of green paint can be seen as Islas stumbles and screams in pain.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Slayr raps, sings, and screams across this thing, producing most of it himself with frequent contributions from the producer wa.—
Mano Sundaresan,
Pitchfork,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Then that correction gets a correction from Andy, who protests that Lisa was really only a villain her last year of Housewives.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The 46-year-old attorney frequently protests at Broadview and also volunteers as a rapid responder, reporting on federal agents’ activities in neighborhoods.—
Angie Leventis Lourgos,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kicks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicks. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
