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
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
Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
Dust buildup on your air vents and returns circulates allergens throughout your entire home every time your HVAC kicks on.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2026
Apple kicks vibe coding app out of App Store, escalating crackdown.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
As the month unfolds, your curiosity kicks into high gear with Mars and Mercury moving through Aries and your third house of ideas.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
In the video, Mortensen films as Paul hits and kicks him.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
The female security guard moves past the male security guard and kicks the young woman in the head.
—Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2026
The band kicks things off in Mexico on March 15, and will hit Medellín, Barcelona, London, and Milan before coming back stateside.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2026
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
Lindy Segal, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
In all, there were a total of 65 kicks to the victim’s head, Sapolu testified.
—City News Service, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
These sneaks utilize the latest running innovations to ensure your kicks improve performance while still looking stylish.
—Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 22 Apr. 2026
Classic Sunday dinner sides like mashed potatoes, green beans, and corn will make great side kicks to the chicken.
—Amanda Favazza, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2026
Sakurai premiered his new trailer at CinemaCon, with fresh footage that showed plenty of epic kicks, punches and cool moves – as well as a sense of humor – but also showcased the film's emotional story line.
—James Powel, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
Kane has also missed two spot kicks this season — against Wehen Wiesbaden in the DFB-Pokal in August and Union Saint-Gilloise in the Champions League in January.
—Will Jeanes, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
For more than a decade, that’s made my collection of kicks feel double its actual size, thanks to her generosity and undeniably good taste.
—Annie Blackman, InStyle, 12 Apr. 2026
The Mother Road, as author John Steinbeck dubbed it, has evolved over the years from an escape for poor farmers fleeing the devastating dust storms of the 1930s to perhaps the quintessential American road trip that’s still delivering kicks.
—Susan Montoya Bryan, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
Tuesday Corning kicks things off.
—Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
Dust buildup on your air vents and returns circulates allergens throughout your entire home every time your HVAC kicks on.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2026
Apple kicks vibe coding app out of App Store, escalating crackdown.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
As the month unfolds, your curiosity kicks into high gear with Mars and Mercury moving through Aries and your third house of ideas.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
In the video, Mortensen films as Paul hits and kicks him.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
The female security guard moves past the male security guard and kicks the young woman in the head.
—Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2026
The band kicks things off in Mexico on March 15, and will hit Medellín, Barcelona, London, and Milan before coming back stateside.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2026
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
Noun
Some girls love corsages; Amelia loves comfy kicks.
—Lindy Segal, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
In all, there were a total of 65 kicks to the victim’s head, Sapolu testified.
—City News Service, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
These sneaks utilize the latest running innovations to ensure your kicks improve performance while still looking stylish.
—Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 22 Apr. 2026
Classic Sunday dinner sides like mashed potatoes, green beans, and corn will make great side kicks to the chicken.
—Amanda Favazza, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2026
Sakurai premiered his new trailer at CinemaCon, with fresh footage that showed plenty of epic kicks, punches and cool moves – as well as a sense of humor – but also showcased the film's emotional story line.
—James Powel, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
Kane has also missed two spot kicks this season — against Wehen Wiesbaden in the DFB-Pokal in August and Union Saint-Gilloise in the Champions League in January.
—Will Jeanes, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
For more than a decade, that’s made my collection of kicks feel double its actual size, thanks to her generosity and undeniably good taste.
—Annie Blackman, InStyle, 12 Apr. 2026
The Mother Road, as author John Steinbeck dubbed it, has evolved over the years from an escape for poor farmers fleeing the devastating dust storms of the 1930s to perhaps the quintessential American road trip that’s still delivering kicks.
—Susan Montoya Bryan, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicks
Verb
-
Lauersdorf is always willing to answer constituent concerns, and never complains, said Heritage Homeowners’ Association vice president Jennifer Samuels in a Facebook post promoting the fundraising effort.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The narrator in Pseudo-Quintilian’s fiction complains of the unfairness of the bout.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
What Miss Manners objects to in party invitations is the deception.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The projects cover diverse artistic traditions and conservation needs, ranging from fragile works on paper to grand paintings and objects requiring advanced preservation techniques.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
From tracking down a missing student in the wilderness of British Columbia to extracting a murder confession from a surfer in Tofino, Shade and Angie prove life on the West Coast is packed with heart-pounding thrills.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The stage is set for the thrills and feels that await.—
Adelle Platon,
VIBE.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
For those willing to learn and put in the time, to offer a home for a homeless pig, Houk said, the joys can be great.—
Eric Adler
April 26,
Kansas City Star,
26 Apr. 2026
-
This Poway Onstage production shares challenges, joys and chaos with warmth, humor and honesty.—
Pomerado News,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
When Joseph pops his head into the studio, insisting, over Gordy’s objections, that Michael has taken up too much of his time, Michael hugs Gordy goodbye.—
Paul A. Thompson,
Pitchfork,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Hegseth forced out the army chief of staff, General Randy George, a close ally of Driscoll’s, despite Driscoll’s objections.—
Michael Scherer,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has initiated multiple investigations into possible safety defects with Tesla's FSD, after several collisions, including a fatal 2023 crash.—
Robert Ferris,Lora Kolodny,
CNBC,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Block collisions need to be balanced with efficient play-arounds to create more tackle tries.—
The Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Nothing screams influence quite like Victoria Beckham wearing her own designs to the Time100 Summit.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Officer Kyle McLaughlin, patrolling the Upper West Side on his steed Kelly, was alerted by a victim’s screams and immediately galloped into action.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Woman, Life, Freedom protests The 2020 election of Joe Biden led to tentative efforts to restore the JCPOA, but any progress made was squashed by the 2021 election of hardline cleric Ebrahim Raisi as president of Iran.—
Tracy Grant,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
10 Mar. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Kicks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicks. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
