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
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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
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Recent Examples of kicks in
Quarks crammed in tight can roam about freely, but try to separate them and the glue kicks in with a vengeance.
—
Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 6 Feb. 2026
The film falters, however, once something resembling an actual plot kicks in.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, on the western side of that coastal front, temperatures are frigid and the fluff factor really kicks in.
—Terry Eliasen, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2026
Certain limitations occasionally reveal themselves; when a classic dub echo effect kicks in, anyone who’s been near a Pioneer DJM mixer can picture Ramon turning its knob.
—Benny Sun, Pitchfork, 23 Jan. 2026
For the Heat, that is an increasingly concerning element, considering the team this past summer signed the 6-foot-10 big man to a four-year, $64 million extension that kicks in next season.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2026
For many, this lower payment is seen as a bridge until rates drop, jobs relocate, or life changes; borrowers are actively planning to refinance, move, or pay off loans before the adjustable period kicks in.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025
Your skin prickles, adrenaline spikes — and that primal fight-or-flight instinct kicks in.
—Sarah Hutter, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
The average deductible was $1,886, which means consumers must pay that much before most coverage kicks in.
—Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 6 Feb. 2026
The film falters, however, once something resembling an actual plot kicks in.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, on the western side of that coastal front, temperatures are frigid and the fluff factor really kicks in.
—Terry Eliasen, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2026
Certain limitations occasionally reveal themselves; when a classic dub echo effect kicks in, anyone who’s been near a Pioneer DJM mixer can picture Ramon turning its knob.
—Benny Sun, Pitchfork, 23 Jan. 2026
For the Heat, that is an increasingly concerning element, considering the team this past summer signed the 6-foot-10 big man to a four-year, $64 million extension that kicks in next season.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2026
For many, this lower payment is seen as a bridge until rates drop, jobs relocate, or life changes; borrowers are actively planning to refinance, move, or pay off loans before the adjustable period kicks in.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025
Your skin prickles, adrenaline spikes — and that primal fight-or-flight instinct kicks in.
—Sarah Hutter, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
The average deductible was $1,886, which means consumers must pay that much before most coverage kicks in.
—Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicks in
Verb
-
Fiber Promotes Gut Health Fiber contributes to good digestion by promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and providing bulk to help eliminate waste.—
Nancy LeBrun,
Verywell Health,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Analysis by the Black and Missing Foundation found that white victims of kidnapping receive a disproportionate amount of media attention compared to minority victims, which likely contributes to the much lower recovery rate of minorities reported missing compared to white people reported missing.—
Kase Wickman,
Vanity Fair,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Yoda character always dies, which is really what Elliott is, and then becomes, in some strange way, more powerful after their death.—
Pat Saperstein,
Variety,
7 Feb. 2026
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Football is the framing device for this romantic fantasy about LA Rams quarterback Joe Pendleton, who wins the starting job, then dies in a traffic accident while biking home (thanks to angelic error).—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Hypothermia is a condition in which the body’s core temperature falls below 95 degrees.—
William Lee,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
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Cleaning your oven, however, is something that falls within the former category.—
Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner,
Martha Stewart,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The challenge usually kicks off in mid-January, about a week after the students come back from winter break.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Most pitches will be installed in May, weeks before the start of the tournament, which kicks off June 11.—
Henry Bushnell,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kicks in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicks%20in. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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