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
-
In the recording, the council debates whether there would be any benefits since Prohaska had already resigned.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
26 Jan. 2026 -
The crypto firm’s move comes as California debates a ballot measure that would tax billionaires 5% on their total wealth for healthcare funding.—
Queenie Wong,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
As Cuenca plays a ball to the feet of his striker, Wilson dashes in the other direction, delaying Ibrahima Konate’s forward jump because the centre-back knows Bradley is unable to track both him and Robinson at the same time.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
In the dark romantic comedy-drama, True Blood alum Skarsgård, 49, plays tough biker Ray, who enters into a dominant-submissive relationship with Colin (Melling), a shy and directionless man who sings in a barbershop quartet.—
Eric Andersson,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Unlike the casual pizza and pasta served at its sister restaurant, Via Aurelia leans upscale, with a five-course tasting option and an extensive wine list that roams Italy and beyond.—
Becky Duffett,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Scoop City’s own Dianna Russini roams the sideline.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
25 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
In the film, Victor emotionally abuses the Creature.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Anyone who abuses a position of power and jeopardizes our national security will be held accountable.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
As the Colorado General Assembly contemplates legislation concerning AI, legislators need to tread cautiously.—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Heeseung contemplates the question, before answering.—
Jae-Ha Kim,
Rolling Stone,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
After a very chilly start to the day, with many spots in North Texas dipping into the 20s during the morning, our southerly flow kicks back in, which will lead to a steady warming trend over the next several days.—
McKenna King,
CBS News,
15 Dec. 2025
-
Additionally, Zendaya's Rue Bennett sits in church pews, Schafer's Jules Vaughn kicks back in an art studio and Apatow's Lexi Howard appears to be in the same location as Demie's Perez.—
Brenton Blanchet,
PEOPLE,
12 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
When Elizabeth wanders down below and sees the Creature, the two are mesmerized by one another.—
Jenelle Riley,
Variety,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Where is that strange, clueless child who wanders from cause to cause, Greta Thunberg?—
Bobby Zirkin,
Baltimore Sun,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Tellingly, when thinking about Erika on his own, Elliot entertains more traditional desires, like getting married and starting a family.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Washington Post food critic Elazar Sontag entertains your restaurant questions, rants and raves.—
Elazar Sontag,
Washington Post,
14 Jan. 2026
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 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
