1
as in relaxed
to refrain from labor or exertion
I plan to spend the day kicking back and watching television
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hacked (around)
to spend time doing nothing
a good resort for people who want to kick back and watch others exercise strenuously
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 kicked back
Studies have shown how lead particles that fell to the ground were kicked back up into the air again where people could inhale them, along with other contaminants.
—
Armin Sorooshian, The Conversation, 16 Mar. 2026
Cher’s adult son Elijah Blue Allman busted into a New Hampshire home over the weekend, and then kicked back on the couch with a cigarette, police said.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026
Although the regionalization had led to a deceleration in the growth of shipping costs throughout 2024 as the Everything Store aggressively embarked on its cost-cutting crusade, these expenses kicked back up into high gear throughout the 2025 fiscal year.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 6 Feb. 2026
Even if Senate Republicans conceded to breaking up the funding package, the bills would be kicked back to the House of Representatives, which is on a weeklong recess.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
But even if Senate Republicans conceded to breaking up the funding package, the bills would be kicked back to the House of Representatives, which is on a weeklong recess.
—Lori Comstock, The Providence Journal, 29 Jan. 2026
Gatlin paid an Atlanta audiovisual contractor $2 million, who then kicked back $1 million to her, according to court records.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 12 Dec. 2025
Conley drove, kicked back to Edwards, who hit Reid in the corner.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 7 Dec. 2025
Over a bite to eat, everybody kicked back and chatted it up a little.
—Jay Glennie, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2025
Armin Sorooshian, The Conversation, 16 Mar. 2026
Cher’s adult son Elijah Blue Allman busted into a New Hampshire home over the weekend, and then kicked back on the couch with a cigarette, police said.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026
Although the regionalization had led to a deceleration in the growth of shipping costs throughout 2024 as the Everything Store aggressively embarked on its cost-cutting crusade, these expenses kicked back up into high gear throughout the 2025 fiscal year.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 6 Feb. 2026
Even if Senate Republicans conceded to breaking up the funding package, the bills would be kicked back to the House of Representatives, which is on a weeklong recess.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
But even if Senate Republicans conceded to breaking up the funding package, the bills would be kicked back to the House of Representatives, which is on a weeklong recess.
—Lori Comstock, The Providence Journal, 29 Jan. 2026
Gatlin paid an Atlanta audiovisual contractor $2 million, who then kicked back $1 million to her, according to court records.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 12 Dec. 2025
Conley drove, kicked back to Edwards, who hit Reid in the corner.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 7 Dec. 2025
Over a bite to eat, everybody kicked back and chatted it up a little.
—Jay Glennie, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicked back
Verb
-
In this case, relaxed white jeans—instead of the usual blue or indigo—brighten up a dark palette.—
India Roby,
Glamour,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Downstairs, Dive has relaxed vibes with arcade games, music, and fun cocktails.—
Morgan Rizzo,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Their front feet rested on their knuckles, while the hind legs bore down on the outer edge of the broad feet.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Alice rested in the chair facing Lorna’s grave.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Those roars generate the same noise that Kobe Bryant and LeBron James have basked in time and again.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Nearly 10 years since Palmer’s passing, Bhatia basked in the presence of the longtime tournament host.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The bestselling novelist specializes in women who have been kicked around by life.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
One of the ideas that has been kicked around is putting the playoff event in larger cities and more historic venues.—
Bob Buttitta,
Oc Register,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
So excited to have properly chilled wine.—
Anna Moeslein,
Glamour,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Over a century has passed since then, and the meaty claws still come to your table chilled and cracked with a mustard sauce.—
Chelsea Brasted,
Southern Living,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Following in the footsteps of social-media-savvy churches such as Hillsong, in Los Angeles, Mercy Culture had a worship band that played earnest, anthemic rock, and its pastors wore skinny jeans.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The Wild played a second consecutive game without forward Bobby Brink, who was injured and scored a goal in his home debut with the Wild last Tuesday versus Utah.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Rittenhouse admits to initially being bummed out to not be the murderer, only to quickly come around to preferring this outcome.—
Derek Lawrence,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Jan. 2026
-
I'mPhaedra Trethan, bummed out about the passing of Raul Malo, lead singer of The Mavericks.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
9 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Nearby, people and their dogs who had moved into the shelter for the duration of the war lounged on air mattresses, scrolling through their phones.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Just days after hard-launching her relationship with French filmmaker Romain Gavras, EmRata lounged in a plunging plush white robe while wearing nothing but some sparkling loud luxury accessories.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kicked back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicked%20back. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
