1
as in contemplating
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 playing
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 hanging (around or out)
to spend time doing nothing
spent the afternoon kicking around, while his wife bought out the mall
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in wandering
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 abusing
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
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Recent Examples of kicking around
There are a number of great kitchenware deals kicking around, including markdowns on nonstick and stainless steel cookware, air fryers, Keurigs, and immersion blenders.
—
Rachel Fletcher, Architectural Digest, 17 Sep. 2025
None is more important than what’s been kicking around for at least six decades, a project to bolster California’s north-to-south shipments of water by bypassing the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2025
Rachel Fletcher, Architectural Digest, 17 Sep. 2025
None is more important than what’s been kicking around for at least six decades, a project to bolster California’s north-to-south shipments of water by bypassing the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicking around
Verb
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When the San Francisco 49ers were contemplating drafting Mac Jones in 2021, the then-Alabama quarterback might have daydreamed about running an offense that included George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel.—
Matt Barrows,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
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While vocal over the years about his aversion to sell, take on a business partner or publicly list the company, rumors about Armani contemplating forming a foundation first emerged in 2012.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Yet, Ruud just kept right on playing good defense — racing around Laver Cup’s black hardcourt — and somehow managing to return serves that reached 130 mph.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
20 Sep. 2025
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He is tied with shortstop and outfielder Bill Russell (1969-1986) and Hall of Fame left fielder Zack Wheat (1909-1926) for the most years playing for the Dodgers in franchise history.—
Wayne G. McDonnell,
Forbes.com,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Caiman was found wandering as a stray and suffering from demodectic mange, a skin infection that left him hairless and pink.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
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On the streamer’s biggest hit, Game Changer, a competition show in which the premise changes every episode, Wysocki has managed to nurture intense parasocial bonds with Dropout’s fans by showcasing his personality as a chillass wandering spirit.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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More importantly, Penske also describes this dynamic as antitrust behavior from a company abusing what the federal government has already described as Google’s monopoly status in the realm of Internet search.—
Andy Meek,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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As part of his plea agreement, Styner admitted to abusing a total of a dozen victims.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Revival Act has left some pondering what the endgame looks like for Zuffa.—
Sarah Shephard,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
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Turns out Stephano was pondering beltmaking too, leading the two to partner on a new business venture creating small-batch leather pieces and metal accessories.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Ron Perez, president and CEO of CGHS, told Newsweek that someone found Petal in an alleyway, roaming the streets of Hudson.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
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Homeowners in Godley's Star Ranch subdivision told NBC DFW that the animals, often seen roaming near new housing developments, appear malnourished and at risk of disease.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Both Delta and Aeromexico said in separate statements that the carriers were disappointed by the department's decision and were reviewing the order before considering next steps.—
Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
16 Sep. 2025
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Interestingly, this percentage increases to 45% when considering data from the last 3 years instead of 5.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Gisin hopes that by fooling around with measurements of these more exotic states, physicists will come to better understand the role of measurement in general.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
8 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Kicking around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicking%20around. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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