KICKING AROUND Synonyms: 209 Similar and Opposite Words

kicking around

verb

present participle of kick around

as in considering

to give serious and careful thought to the board spent the afternoon kicking around the feasibility of opening an overseas office

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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

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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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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

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as in abusing

to inflict physical or emotional harm upon children who were raised by an alcoholic father who regularly kicked them around

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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 kicking around Within the venue gates but outside the stands, groups of friends were playing cornhole and having picnic dinners from food trucks parked onsite; older attendees were chatting and kids were kicking around mini soccer balls. — Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 7 July 2026 Some of the finer moments for Nemes in the studio were during rehearsals, when the band was just kicking around ideas and jamming. — Tina Eves, SPIN, 1 July 2026 All told, it’s been a pretty spectacular and drama-free rollout for an idea that had been kicking around Hollywood for over 15 years. — Josef Adalian, Vulture, 18 June 2026 Husband and wife duo Cristina Marzolf and Matthew Marzolf, both 25, had been kicking around the concept of Press’d Cafe and Lounge, a family-friendly tropical escape that sells smoothies, juices and food for years. — Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026 There are a few great Star Wars arcade games still kicking around, but this one is my personal favorite. — Alex James Kane, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026 Odenkirk and Kolstad have begun kicking around ideas for extending the character into an ongoing franchise. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026 Although the likes of the Go Go’s and the Cars are present at times, the soundtrack as a whole seems too staid to provide a backdrop for ’80s kids kicking around in the heyday of punk. — Gina Friedlande, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026 Both tracks — which had been kicking around since the Chinese Democracy sessions and were demoed even earlier — were finally released in December 2025 to coincide with GNR’s 2026 tour announcement. — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 29 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicking around

Verb

In his July memo, Blume said the company is considering axing a further 50,000 roles globally and closing four factories in Germany.

— Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
This Fire sign often has strong opinions about how things should be done and could in turn take control of every situation without considering whether anyone else wants to follow their lead.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026

Definition of considering

Verb

Even with their side trip to Utah, Memphis had four of the top seven players in minutes in Vegas, helped by playing a sixth game in the championship.

— John Hollinger, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Only the two teams that make the championship game playing a sixth game, but the Heat is likely out of the mix for the championship game with two losses in Las Vegas.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026

Definition of playing

Verb

But instead of kicking back, Nadal’s been busy building a hotel empire.

— Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 7 July 2026
Maybe that means kicking back by the pool with a refreshing summer drink in hand or treating yourself to a creative spin on a classic hot dog from one of these five Atlanta spots.

— Nicole Bennett, AJC.com, 4 July 2026

Definition of kicking back

Verb

Before catching an afternoon game, grab some breakfast and take your time wandering through animal exhibits before heading to the stadium.

— Taylor Haught, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026
Tourists can enjoy wandering through this gem's stunning blue and white hilltop towns and tasting authentic, fresh Mediterranean food.

— Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 24 July 2026

Definition of wandering

Verb

Turay’s glassy guitar licks have a Metheny-ish tint to them, while Bemis opts to ride quick, slinky rhythms rather than abusing his crash cymbal.

— Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 23 July 2026
DeKalb deputy adds to concerning trend in Georgia The arrest of the DeKalb deputy adds to a growing list of law enforcement officials who have been caught abusing the license plate data they have been given access to and tasked with protecting.

— Irene Wright, USA Today, 21 July 2026

Definition of abusing

Verb

Leaders do not have the luxury of sitting in the corner contemplating their feelings or hoping someone will stroke their egos.

— Chris Adams, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
After spending the dramatic hour contemplating a promotion — one that would take him away from his ship and his crew — Captain Pike relays his final decision.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 23 July 2026

Definition of contemplating

Verb

Zeus did not approve of his daughter fooling around with this mortal roughneck hunter and put out a hit on Orion.

— Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
The transition was rough for Ansari, who wasn’t fluent in English and often got in trouble for fooling around in school.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026

Definition of fooling around

Verb

President James Garfield’s assassin, Charles Guiteau, died by hanging about five months after he was convicted of murder.

— USA Today, USA Today, 17 June 2026
In 2019, city employees began hanging about 500 trick-or-treat pumpkin buckets in the trees on Main Street every October.

— Elliott Harrell, Travel + Leisure, 18 Oct. 2025

Definition of hanging about

Browse Nearby Words

kicking (about)

kicking around

kicking back

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Cite this Entry

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“Kicking around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicking%20around. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of kicking around

verb

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