1
as in debates
to give serious and careful thought to
the board spent the afternoon kicking around the feasibility of opening an overseas office
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in plays
to spend time in aimless activity
I really can't do much but kick around at work until I get the rest of the submissions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in hangs (around or out)
to spend time doing nothing
spent the afternoon kicking around, while his wife bought out the mall
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in roams
to move about from place to place aimlessly
after spending a year in Europe kicking around, the backpacker was ready to return home
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in abuses
to inflict physical or emotional harm upon
children who were raised by an alcoholic father who regularly kicked them around
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicks around
Verb
-
Hashmi, who flipped a suburban Richmond seat in 2019 to become the first Muslim woman elected to the Virginia Senate, has not committed to any lieutenant governor debates this cycle.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Oct. 2025 -
As her husband nears one year in his new job, Hines is nearing one year with a new life even as the country debates her spouse's controversial policy agenda including his beliefs about vaccines.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In an art-imitating-life debut, Wilder, 18, plays the son of his dad's character Everett.—
Jen Juneau,
PEOPLE,
14 Oct. 2025
-
As the largest global trade organization of movie theater owners, Cinema United plays a critical role in advocating for the interests of the theatrical experience.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Perhaps a dog barks too much, a cat roams through the yard, or pets are relieving themselves in unwanted areas.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Oct. 2025
-
There was one consequential defensive bust that was likely related to Warner’s absence, while Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield was particularly effective throwing to the middle of the field, where Warner usually roams.—
Matt Barrows,
New York Times,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Anyone who abuses a position of power and jeopardizes our national security will be held accountable.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Bowles abuses those pass-blocking rules by stunting the three-technique, Logan Hall (90), across the left guard's face, knowing the guard will follow him.—
Derrik Klassen,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Throughout, Stein—or her narrator—contemplates the future of her work.—
Via Scribner,
Literary Hub,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Hoover bounces back with a clean game, while Coach Prime contemplates making a quarterback change.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The insurance company may then delay or deny the request, which kicks back the paperwork to the doctor’s office and starts the entire process all over again.—
Forbes.com,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
When Rashid wanders into the office, Vahid stops his call — there’s something about this man’s shuffle that strikes him as familiar.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
16 Oct. 2025
-
In the wake of a messy divorce, a writer wanders the world in search of meaning and passion in this loose adaptation of Elizabeth Gilbert’s popular memoir.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The question is whether that hardware expands or merely entertains.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
By night, Criel entertains guests for intimate dinners — and the occasional artistic performance.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
6 Sep. 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Kicks around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicks%20around. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share