kickback

1 of 2

noun

kick·back ˈkik-ˌbak

Synonyms of kickback next

: a return of a part of a sum received often because of confidential agreement or coercion

every city contract had been let with a ten percent kickback to city officials—

D. K. Shipler

: a sharp violent reaction

kick back

2 of 2

verb

kicked back; kicking back; kicks back

intransitive verb

: to assume a relaxed position or attitude

also : to spend time relaxing : take it easy

spent the weekend just kicking back

Examples of kickback in a Sentence

Noun Several company executives were accused of accepting kickbacks. Verb I plan to spend the day kicking back and watching television. a good resort for people who want to kick back and watch others exercise strenuously

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Shortly before that, the team had been under scrutiny as allegations that the former coach had accepted more than a million dollars in kickbacks in exchange for recruiting students to Harvard’s team. —

Raquel Coronell Uribe, NBC News, 26 July 2024 Or were there more kickbacks like the COVID test kits company that New York State paid three times as much for after contributing to her campaign? —

Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 9 June 2024

Verb

This warm earthy tone envelops the upstairs den, fostering a cozy place to curl up with a good book and a cup of tea—or to kick back with a cocktail and spin some records. —

Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2024 On lazy days, kick back and relax in a hammock that’s 57% off—or grab your doubles partner and hit the court with a pickleball set that’s 30% off. —

Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 17 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for kickback

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'kickback.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1920, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1972, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of kickback was in 1920

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Kickback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kickback. Accessed 11 Sep. 2024.

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Kids Definition

kickback

1 of 2 noun

kick·back ˈkik-ˌbak

: a secret return of part of a sum of money received

kick back

2 of 2 verb

: relax sense 4

Legal Definition

kickback

noun

kick·back ˈkik-ˌbak

: a payment (as of money or property) made to one in a position to open up or control a source of income for the payor

convicted of receiving kickbacks for referrals

compare bribe, payoff

Note: A kickback is specifically a payment for income received or to be received. The word is usually not restricted to a return of funds.

Last Updated: 11 Sep 2024 - Updated example sentences

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kickback

noun

verb

Synonyms

Examples of kickback in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near kickback

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Legal Definition