1
as in resting
to refrain from labor or exertion
I plan to spend the day kicking back and watching television
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hanging (around or out)
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
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Recent Examples of kicking back
The game will kick off the Labor Day weekend slate, which is probably a good thing for those of you trying to get the game out of the way before kicking back the rest of the weekend.
—
Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
The first half of the event includes activities that participants rotate through then make a splash in the pool or spend time kicking back, listening to music or completing an art project.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Spend your mornings kicking back on Biloxi Beach or Long Beach, perhaps flying a kite and enjoying a picnic lunch.
—Kara Williams, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Sometimes there’s no better way to spend a spring day than kicking back on your porch—or deck, or patio, or stoop—and simply taking it all in, perhaps even with a refreshing beverage in hand.
—Joseph Erbentraut, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Apr. 2026
Year-round warm weather, hitting the links, and kicking back with the grandkids has long been the quintessential American retirement dream.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
This has a similar curved design, and the chenille-like fabric lends this a coziness for kicking back and curling up.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 3 Mar. 2026
The real issue is the compressor cycling off and then kicking back on, which can be abrupt enough to wake you.
—Larry Magid, Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2026
Instead, the board opts for the happy-go-lucky concert attendee kicking back a beer or two as its foil to scary THC use.
—Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
The first half of the event includes activities that participants rotate through then make a splash in the pool or spend time kicking back, listening to music or completing an art project.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Spend your mornings kicking back on Biloxi Beach or Long Beach, perhaps flying a kite and enjoying a picnic lunch.
—Kara Williams, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Sometimes there’s no better way to spend a spring day than kicking back on your porch—or deck, or patio, or stoop—and simply taking it all in, perhaps even with a refreshing beverage in hand.
—Joseph Erbentraut, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Apr. 2026
Year-round warm weather, hitting the links, and kicking back with the grandkids has long been the quintessential American retirement dream.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
This has a similar curved design, and the chenille-like fabric lends this a coziness for kicking back and curling up.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 3 Mar. 2026
The real issue is the compressor cycling off and then kicking back on, which can be abrupt enough to wake you.
—Larry Magid, Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2026
Instead, the board opts for the happy-go-lucky concert attendee kicking back a beer or two as its foil to scary THC use.
—Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicking back
Verb
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Return all the oxtails to the pot, along with any of their resting juices.—
Monti Carlo,
AJC.com,
22 May 2026
-
For most, Memorial Day is for quality time, soaking up the sun, and resting.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
Your visit can be a camping or glamping trip or a relaxing resort vacation.—
Patricia Doherty,
Travel + Leisure,
24 May 2026
-
The experience is relaxing yet addictive.—
Jason Bennett,
Arkansas Online,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
The video opens with Earle lounging by the beach, basking in the sun.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
13 May 2026
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The resort-style pool’s sun shelf provides the perfect perch for basking in the sun or for children to splash in the shallow water, while surrounding decks offer umbrellas and chaises.—
Pulte Homes,
Miami Herald,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
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
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Orion Nebula Those viewing from a dark sky location may also notice a blurry patch of light hanging about 5 degrees below Orion's belt.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Odenkirk and Kolstad have begun kicking around ideas for extending the character into an ongoing franchise.—
Los Angeles Times,
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
Verb
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These palazzo pants are the sleek solution to looking put-together at the airport, walking around a new city, lounging by the pool, and more without sacrificing comfort.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
-
The video opens with Earle lounging by the beach, basking in the sun.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
13 May 2026
Verb
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For longer storage, ripe tomatoes can be kept in the refrigerator, but note that chilling can dull their flavor and change their texture.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
22 May 2026
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After chilling overnight, the patties are seared on a flattop to medium-rare for a crispy, peppery crust and smoky, juicy interior.—
Sam Flemming,
AJC.com,
20 May 2026
Verb
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Marcus tries to balance pushing Nick to keep playing while knowing his older brother has to do what’s best for him and his family.—
Joe Smith,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
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Things get clubbier in the basement Music Room, all red velvet with an indoor-outdoor bar for smokers and a modelesque DJ playing pumping house on our visit.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kicking back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicking%20back. Accessed 27 May. 2026.
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