1
as in screaming
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
he's been kicking all week about not getting the promotion
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in objecting
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of kicking
Carneiro missed a field goal, as well, kicking a ball off the left upright.
—
Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2026
Friday night is the very first night, and the team is kicking it off on Military Night.
—Kaley Fedko, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Along the way, several teams will be kicking the tires on Joseph.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 9 Jan. 2026
With last year’s Gophers kicker Brady Denaburg done, Sunderland will compete with redshirt freshman Daniel Jackson and others for kicking duties next season.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 7 Jan. 2026
Rathbun tried to get up but couldn’t, feeling as if someone in the crowd was kicking him.
—Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
The powertrain also got a boost, with the straight five now kicking 362 hp and 343 ft lbs of torque to all four wheels.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 6 Jan. 2026
Except for a few children kicking a ball and some chickens pecking the ground, the village seemed almost deserted.
—Daniel Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Prince William's exciting trip to Brazil also included playing beach volleyball at Copacabana Beach, kicking a soccer goal at Maracanã Stadium and planting some mangroves.
—Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kicking
Verb
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According to the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched in November to a residence in the Linville community of Marion after a caller reported a neighbor standing in their driveway screaming and refusing to leave the property despite having been warned previously.—
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Avid viewers of The Studio will appreciate the callback to a watershed episode this season when Ice Cube, as himself, uttered the same to a room filled with screaming fans, causing a fresh headache for Seth Rogen’s backlot boss Matt Remick.—
Verb
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Democrats objecting to the guidance had been holding up the confirmation.—
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But Bennet and Hickenlooper took the lead in bringing the package to a dead halt by objecting to an agreement to set up date and amendment votes on the Senate floor.—
Verb
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But the same town also was sued in November by Stillson LLC, a company complaining because zoners approved an 8-30g project.—
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From bartenders in Virginia-Highland to servers in Alpharetta, several employees of food and drink businesses reported customers complaining about water that tastes like mildew.—
Verb
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From silently protesting at Pushkin Square to being exiled in a brutal prison camp, this book is a powerful tribute to the Russian dissidents who fought for freedom and justice while trying to evade the KGB.—
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Except, of course, there definitely have been Mexicans protesting ICE actions, flying Mexican flags and saying California and Texas were stolen from them.—
Verb
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Illinois Republicans have turned whining into an artform.—
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First came Notre Dame whining over missing out on a College Football Playoff invite.—
Verb
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While lying on the pavement, he could be heard moaning as an officer shouted at him not to move.—
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There’s something moaning in the background.—
Verb
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The camera then turns to James Austin Johnson, who played the president, sleeping and muttering New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s name.—
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On the plane, Dick clutches the slingshot and begins sweating and muttering to himself before becoming unresponsive.—
Cite this Entry
“Kicking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kicking. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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