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
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
Solarization Instead of turning off the light, this method kicks it into overdrive.
—Michelle Mastro, The Spruce, 22 Feb. 2026
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
Eric Prisbell, Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 2026
These kicks are supremely comfortable and are now the MVPs of my collection of more than 40 pairs of sneakers.
—Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2026
The dance world has often based its plaudits on how spectacularly performers can defy gravity with leaps, kicks and twirls.
—Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2026
These kicks are made for long walks, busy travel days, intense sweat sessions, and everything in between; their versatility is seemingly infinite.
—Nina Derwin, Glamour, 27 Feb. 2026
Jawara Alleyne’s collaboration with Converse also served up cushy kicks ideal for a fun night out.
—Violet Goldstone, Footwear News, 25 Feb. 2026
The rate of kicks is exactly the frequency of the squeak—the faster the kicks, the higher the pitch.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 25 Feb. 2026
Man on the Run, out Friday along with an accompanying soundtrack, is an intimate portrait of a rock superstar who knew what the world wanted from him — but decided to rip it up and start over from scratch, just for kicks.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 24 Feb. 2026
Teenage kicks, so hard to beat.
—Andy McGrath, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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
Solarization Instead of turning off the light, this method kicks it into overdrive.
—Michelle Mastro, The Spruce, 22 Feb. 2026
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
Noun
All of a sudden, her kicks, her name, her story went viral.
—Eric Prisbell, Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 2026
These kicks are supremely comfortable and are now the MVPs of my collection of more than 40 pairs of sneakers.
—Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2026
The dance world has often based its plaudits on how spectacularly performers can defy gravity with leaps, kicks and twirls.
—Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2026
These kicks are made for long walks, busy travel days, intense sweat sessions, and everything in between; their versatility is seemingly infinite.
—Nina Derwin, Glamour, 27 Feb. 2026
Jawara Alleyne’s collaboration with Converse also served up cushy kicks ideal for a fun night out.
—Violet Goldstone, Footwear News, 25 Feb. 2026
The rate of kicks is exactly the frequency of the squeak—the faster the kicks, the higher the pitch.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 25 Feb. 2026
Man on the Run, out Friday along with an accompanying soundtrack, is an intimate portrait of a rock superstar who knew what the world wanted from him — but decided to rip it up and start over from scratch, just for kicks.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 24 Feb. 2026
Teenage kicks, so hard to beat.
—Andy McGrath, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicks
Verb
-
At the same time, the Brighton captain, Pascal Gross, complains to referee Chris Kavanagh.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
And a woman who complains is said to be defying nature itself.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Yet despite all the characters brandishing weapons, the only person in the entire series who seems capable of getting away with murder is Jeff Wentworth, a former Texas state senator who objects to an imposing wall that his neighbor Alexa has constructed around her property, in San Antonio.—
Tyler Foggatt,
New Yorker,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Spawning objects mid-session and changing environmental conditions on the fly isn’t a gaming feature.—
Nicole Fraenkel,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
When the surf is low, those seeking thrills and good vibes grab a skateboard and head inland.—
Brian Higgins,
Outside,
2 Mar. 2026
-
They were captivated by the choreography on the floor and the balance on the beam, by the work each gymnast puts into their routine and by the thrills of the best show in Los Angeles.—
Tribune News Service,
Hartford Courant,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Quince and manchego empanada at Tzintzuntzan One of the great joys of a vacation at a Mexican resort (besides all of it) is breakfast each morning.—
Matthew Odam,
Austin American Statesman,
2 Mar. 2026
-
On the joys of being a chaotic reader.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Leaders of the Upper Basin states also are raising objections, saying the Interior Department’s current options rely on flawed assumptions, fail to impose large enough cuts on the Lower Basin and go beyond the federal government’s authority.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Large language models are extraordinarily good at inferring context clues—in this case, the user’s name, professional background, and likely objections—and tailoring output accordingly.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Animals’ risk of becoming roadkill depends on several factors, including how many vehicles are on the road, how many animals are on the road, and how animals and human drivers behave, explains Tom Langen, a professor of biology at Clarkson University, who studies animal-vehicle collisions.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The latest data collection from the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA (LVK) Collaboration reveals the universe is practically humming with gravitational waves from cosmic collisions.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In Whale’s picture, the bride doesn’t talk — only screams or hisses like an irritated cat — and is brought to life 5 minutes before the credits roll.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The picture with a bald eagle might be photoshopped, but the image screams America, right?—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
6 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 12 Mar. 2026.
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