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
Adam Ismail, The Drive, 14 May 2026
Others, too, have expressed concern that the May Revision leaves them in the lurch — especially counties and immigrant rights advocates, who say Newsom’s balanced budget kicks additional costs to local government and adds more cost pressures for certain immigrants.
—Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 14 May 2026
Cannes jury member Demi Moore kicks the week off in style May 12, topping her 3D polka dot dress with Morganthal Frederics shades (which can be yours for a cool $2,895).
—Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
This approach is dangerous and kicks the can down the road in creating problems that our children and grandchildren will be forced to deal with.
—Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
In another incident, a settler with a hammer in his hand kicks a worker.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
Tuesday Corning kicks things off.
—Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
When you’re flooded, your amygdala—your brain’s threat detector—becomes overactive, and your sympathetic nervous system kicks into high gear.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 10 Apr. 2026
Dust buildup on your air vents and returns circulates allergens throughout your entire home every time your HVAC kicks on.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2026
Aashna Gheewalla, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
In episode eight of season three, Matthew’s family and friends want to support his burgeoning business, so they’re shown wearing a variety of fresh kicks — ranging from baby Sutton wearing red and white Nike Dunk Lows to Harrison Ford in his aforementioned style.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 11 May 2026
Asuka responded with a series of kicks and strikes followed by a running knee for a two-count of her own.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
Suede sneakers are the reigning champion of lifestyle kicks, and these grey Clifton L Sneakers will blend in seamlessly with the rest of your travel capsule wardrobe.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 9 May 2026
Professional wrestling violence is normally scripted, meaning both parties agree to hit each other with punches, kicks, throws and even sometimes weapons to tell a violent story in the ring.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
The other guys are on their feet, trying to break it up, someone is calling someone else a loser, there are swings and kicks and insults, men grabbing at other men, trying to restrain them and busting the restraints.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 6 May 2026
Since the Video Assistant Referee system made its World Cup debut in 2018, the trend in top-tier games has been to award ever more spot-kicks.
—ABC News, 4 May 2026
Clegg left the team two weeks ago after struggling with his kicks throughout the spring.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026
Verb
More rural stretches of the map definitely favor the high end of that span, while Tokyo City always kicks the framerate down 10 fps or more, especially whenever the rain rolls in.
—Adam Ismail, The Drive, 14 May 2026
Others, too, have expressed concern that the May Revision leaves them in the lurch — especially counties and immigrant rights advocates, who say Newsom’s balanced budget kicks additional costs to local government and adds more cost pressures for certain immigrants.
—Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 14 May 2026
Cannes jury member Demi Moore kicks the week off in style May 12, topping her 3D polka dot dress with Morganthal Frederics shades (which can be yours for a cool $2,895).
—Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
This approach is dangerous and kicks the can down the road in creating problems that our children and grandchildren will be forced to deal with.
—Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
In another incident, a settler with a hammer in his hand kicks a worker.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
Tuesday Corning kicks things off.
—Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
When you’re flooded, your amygdala—your brain’s threat detector—becomes overactive, and your sympathetic nervous system kicks into high gear.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 10 Apr. 2026
Dust buildup on your air vents and returns circulates allergens throughout your entire home every time your HVAC kicks on.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
These new Ubfen kicks look retro but feel especially practical for everyday wear.
—Aashna Gheewalla, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
In episode eight of season three, Matthew’s family and friends want to support his burgeoning business, so they’re shown wearing a variety of fresh kicks — ranging from baby Sutton wearing red and white Nike Dunk Lows to Harrison Ford in his aforementioned style.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 11 May 2026
Asuka responded with a series of kicks and strikes followed by a running knee for a two-count of her own.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
Suede sneakers are the reigning champion of lifestyle kicks, and these grey Clifton L Sneakers will blend in seamlessly with the rest of your travel capsule wardrobe.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 9 May 2026
Professional wrestling violence is normally scripted, meaning both parties agree to hit each other with punches, kicks, throws and even sometimes weapons to tell a violent story in the ring.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
The other guys are on their feet, trying to break it up, someone is calling someone else a loser, there are swings and kicks and insults, men grabbing at other men, trying to restrain them and busting the restraints.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 6 May 2026
Since the Video Assistant Referee system made its World Cup debut in 2018, the trend in top-tier games has been to award ever more spot-kicks.
—ABC News, 4 May 2026
Clegg left the team two weeks ago after struggling with his kicks throughout the spring.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicks
Verb
-
Never says a word, never complains about it, right?—
Anderson Cooper,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
-
Anushka complains about the agreement that asks users to accept 97 pages of terms and conditions in 7-point font, but these guys don’t even see themselves as car manufacturers.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
In this strange new world – where everyday objects loom like mountains – the tiny trio must stick together to survive, navigating water towers, sewer mazes and unpredictable robot cleaners.—
Liz Shackleton,
Deadline,
11 May 2026
-
Unfortunately, any of the giant armada of smaller objects tens of meters wide is still large enough to annihilate Beijing, Lagos, or New York – objects such as the one that exploded over Chelyabinsk, Russia in 2013 – and those are far harder to detect.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
That’s because its plug-in hybrid powertrain, which delivers up to 50 miles of electric driving range, is built for thrills.—
Scotty Reiss,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
-
Perhaps, but Alonso’s attentive gaze reworks the meaning of excitement such that a banal exchange with the nearby farmhand, and a drive into the nearby village, provide minor thrills — that is, if you’re properly settled onto Alonso’s serenely sluggish wavelength.—
Beatrice Loayza,
Variety,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
The best tropical vacation spots offer an abundance of choice for rest, play, and all the joys in between.—
Skyli Alvarez,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 May 2026
-
Meanwhile, nature remains beautiful and indifferent to our joys and our suffering.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
This change is well underway, and the very reasonable objections to this path will not dissuade the company.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
20 May 2026
-
The Reverend Edmond Massey, preaching in the midst of London’s outbreak, captured the essence of such objections.—
Tom Levenson,
Time,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
Additionally, about 17% of those severely injured by traffic collisions in Sacramento County were 20 years old or younger.—
Corey Schmidt,
Sacbee.com,
16 May 2026
-
Rather than collisions caused by surrounding traffic, these incidents involved the vehicle misjudging objects directly in its path.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
With Chapman, the issue screams at you louder than the thumping, center field speakers in Chavez Ravine.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
One morning in 2013, before the sun had risen, Hiba and Ibrahim heard gunshots and screams.—
Annie Hylton,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Woman, Life, Freedom protests The 2020 election of Joe Biden led to tentative efforts to restore the JCPOA, but any progress made was squashed by the 2021 election of hardline cleric Ebrahim Raisi as president of Iran.—
Tracy Grant,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
10 Mar. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Kicks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicks. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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