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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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as in collisions

a forceful coming together of two things I felt a kick in my hands as the jackhammer came roaring to life

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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

The Royals hope to get under the 40-man roster threshold before the 2027 offseason kicks into high gear after the World Series. — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2026 Netflix , Tesla and Club names Meta Platforms and Capital One are among the companies set to report quarterly results in the coming days, as third-quarter earnings season kicks into high gear. — Zev Fima,kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2026 Tony Franklin of Texas A&M kicks two field goals over 60 yards for an NCAA record. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 Once plugged in, the microwave automatically kicks into setup mode. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 16 Oct. 2026 In a world where AI and algorithms are trumpeting our extinction on a daily basis, Wildwood kicks the conversation in entirely the other direction. — Bridget Arsenault, Vanity Fair, 14 Oct. 2026 Greep’s European tour, which kicks of November 1 in the Netherlands, is still scheduled to take place. — Alex Suskind, Pitchfork, 14 Oct. 2026 The fight has already appeared to affect the CAC’s ability to operate just as awards season kicks into high gear. — Adam B. Vary, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026 With little economic data coming this week, markets will continue to monitor geopolitical news as well as a handful of quarterly financial results from Levi's, PepsiCo and Delta Air Lines before earnings season kicks into high gear next week. — ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026

Noun

The Tigers recovered three of four fumbles to go with the interception, including a fumble recovered in the end zone by DE Darris Smith that came after a bad snap and several kicks from defenders. — Pj Green november 1, Kansas City Star, 1 Nov. 2026 His attempt to surpass his career long of 57 yards against the Spartans last week fell short, but Bhaghani doesn’t linger long on errant kicks. — Jordan Puente, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026 Backup goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli saved Brighton's last two spot kicks — from Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk — to rescue City, which had fallen behind in the shootout when Mateo Kovacic had the team's fourth penalty saved. — ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026 In the opposite corner of the ring, Evloev is a freestyle fighter, getting a bunch of different kicks and punches to give him the edge. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026 For a character whose martial arts style is defined by her powerful kicks, Liang added nearly three inches to her thighs. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026 On the other, evidence suggests this pair of habitual time-wasters were commonly found on the floor, running laughter through a Yamaha SPX90 effects processor for kicks and strumming the same note for 40-odd minutes. — Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026 It’s been better said before by other people, but just trying to fill up that vacuum with kicks. — Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicks

Verb

Her boyfriend Tom Arnold becomes a writer/producer and complains that someone there stole his love letters and sold out his steamy relationship with Roseanne to the National Enquirer.

— Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
Parent complains about the circumstances Lechner sent an email to the athletic director two days later asking whether a transgender student had participated in the game, and whether that student had access to the same locker room as his daughter.

— Paula Wethington, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of complains

Verb

In Boston, Rodrigues of the National Parents Union – a nonprofit advocacy and grassroots organization – objects to schools using devices merely to occupy students.

— Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
Because light obeys a superposition principle even under classical physics, this experimental breakthrough doesn’t imply that Schrödinger’s equation necessarily applies to objects 12,900 kilometers wide.

— Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of objects

Noun

But thrill-seekers can’t get enough of NightFlight Expedition, a $50 million indoor attraction that opened in August and combines roller-coaster thrills with a dark ride to simulate soaring over the Smokies at night.

— Tracey Teo, AJC.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Watching Matt slip into the forms of other people, especially the goons Szabo surrounds himself with, lends Clayface its thrills.

— Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of thrills

Noun

Keegan and Boo soon discover the joys of unplugging and spending quality time with their grandparents, who also come around and embrace the experiment after begrudgingly agreeing.

— Rachel LaBonte, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2026
These families experience the same joys, hopes, and challenges as every other family.

— Virginia Mercury, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of joys

Noun

Two of the three objections against Macías and Sigcho-Lopez were filed by people who had circulated primary petitions for Patty García.

— Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
The City Council voted it down, and the mayor's opponents passed an alternate budget plan over his objections.

— Chris Tye, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of objections

Noun

The company's latest systems use radar, cameras, and increasingly sophisticated software to help truck drivers identify hazards, avoid collisions, and respond when someone does something unexpected.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Nov. 2026
Some studies also suggest moving commuting times nearer to dusk in the fall increases the risk of vehicle collisions with deer and other wildlife, which are more active around sunset.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 31 Oct. 2026

Definition of collisions

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