kick around

verb

Definition of kick aroundnext
1
as in to debate
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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2
as in to play
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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3
as in to kill time
to spend time doing nothing spent the afternoon kicking around, while his wife bought out the mall

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4
as in to roam
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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5
as in to abuse
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 kick around Clear skies are in the forecast for the next few days as temperatures kick around the upper 90s. — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 June 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 Calgary Flames forward Ryan Strome, a veteran of 916 games, doesn’t kick around with his teammates. — Peter Baugh, New York Times, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for kick around
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kick around
  1. debate
  2. play
  3. kick back
  4. roam
  5. abuse
  6. entertain
  7. fool around
  8. veg out
Verb
  • There are limited time and resources to debate and vote on proposals.
    — Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
  • But now, the internet is debating the album, with some people accusing Blanco of cultural appropriation.
    — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of debate
Verb
  • He was handed a wild card to play doubles at Wimbledon this year but lost in the first round.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
  • My model is concentrated on the last 24 rounds played, and includes driving distance, strokes gained off the tee, strokes gained around the green, strokes gained putting, and strokes gained on par 3s longer than 200 yards.
    — Dennis Esser, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of play
Verb
  • And don’t forget to grab a few pieces for simply kicking back and relaxing.
    — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Before the fire, patrons were kicking back cold ones about a block from Down the Hatch.
    — David Dickstein, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of kick back
Verb
  • The young mayor has instead focused on labor protection, citing taxi drivers as the main point of concern with allowing robotaxis to roam Manhattan.
    — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • New teams of crisis intervention and community violence prevention workers will soon roam portions of the agency’s Red, Blue and Green rail lines.
    — Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of roam
Verb
  • Her father is much more laid-back and won’t abuse the privilege.
    — Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • That’s fine and good, but whenever police agencies have intrusive tools, some officers will abuse them.
    — Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of abuse
Verb
  • The idea is one of extension, of continuing the thread of modernity, of constantly making new again and again—maintaining continuity against so many distractions, ignoring the jewelry-rattlers who want to be entertained in the fancy theatah.
    — Carlos Valladares, ARTnews.com, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Inside, vaulted ceilings and deep roof overhangs define the living spaces, while a vintage bar opens to the family room and the living and dining rooms provide ample space for entertaining.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of entertain
Verb
  • As Marshall and Alice consider one another and then start to fool around, the sequence feels organic and dangerous without being forced.
    — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Another horny couple on vacation couldn’t wait until their flight landed to fool around and insisted on doing so in the plane's cabin.
    — Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Definition of fool around
Verb
  • Just take care of your[self], and veg out.
    — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 14 Jan. 2026
  • This set is damn near professional-wear, with a blazer-style top and contrast piping for those who like to veg out with dignity.
    — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 10 Dec. 2025
Definition of veg out

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kick (about)
kick around
kick back
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Cite this Entry

“Kick around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kick%20around. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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