1
as in contributes
to make a donation as part of a group effort
if everyone in the department kicks in, we can give him an especially nice present for his retirement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in dies
slang
to stop living
the ornery cuss finally kicked in at the ripe old age of 90
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 in
The National Weather Service says drought conditions should improve in June, once the rainy season kicks in.
—
Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2026
When that already-muddy path to fulfillment sees our brash heroine grappling with blackmail, her resilience kicks in with a scene-stealing spirit.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 20 Mar. 2026
The top rate of 20% kicks in for those with incomes higher than that.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Make sure to harvest dill in the morning after any dew has dried and before the heat of the day kicks in.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2026
Drivers have struggled to handle the cars when electric power kicks in and the need to trade off between using power and conserving it.
—ABC News, 13 Mar. 2026
On March 18, Air India’s next phase kicks in.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
Patterson is 7 of 13 on such kicks in his career.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
Garland simply wasn’t going to be a fit with the Canucks’ timeline, and moving him for a couple of picks before his NMC kicks in on July 1 is good business.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2026
When that already-muddy path to fulfillment sees our brash heroine grappling with blackmail, her resilience kicks in with a scene-stealing spirit.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 20 Mar. 2026
The top rate of 20% kicks in for those with incomes higher than that.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Make sure to harvest dill in the morning after any dew has dried and before the heat of the day kicks in.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2026
Drivers have struggled to handle the cars when electric power kicks in and the need to trade off between using power and conserving it.
—ABC News, 13 Mar. 2026
On March 18, Air India’s next phase kicks in.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
Patterson is 7 of 13 on such kicks in his career.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
Garland simply wasn’t going to be a fit with the Canucks’ timeline, and moving him for a couple of picks before his NMC kicks in on July 1 is good business.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicks in
Verb
-
In the rear, an active wing contributes to the nearly 915 pounds of total downforce generated at a little over 155 mph.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
21 Mar. 2026
-
In Colorado, the Maternal Mortality Review Committee said discrimination contributes to two-thirds of maternal deaths.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The problem isn’t that the character dies — that much was inevitable — but that she’s so casually eliminated.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Under Texas law, a person can be charged with murder if through their drug distribution or dealing of fentanyl someone else dies.—
Claire Osborn,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Yet the same issues keep popping up, and network and studio each keep insisting the responsibility falls with the other to make things better.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Mar. 2026
-
So much for the idea that public goods still have to be used to justify their cost — especially when subsidies rise even as usage falls.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the nightmare scenario that kicks off Transcription, the disabling of the narrator’s phone—that ingenious receptacle for distraction, and discomfort, and crap—sets in motion a series of observations and reminiscences that prod the narrator’s unconscious, bringing the novel into being.—
Hannah Gold,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Mullin and Scrosati were two of the most high-profile executives set to address the Lille confab as the industry-facing Forum part of events kicks off today.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kicks in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicks%20in. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
