1
: 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
D. K. Shipler2
: a sharp violent reaction
kicked back; kicking back; kicks back
: 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 WebCity News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2024
Senate Bill 1638, which passed both chambers of the Florida Legislature unanimously before landing on DeSantis’ desk, establishes how to use those kickbacks to benefit the state’s natural resources.
—Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 11 Apr. 2024
Now women’s birth control—much of which still comes with plenty of irksome, sometimes risky, side effects—seems due for some kickbacks.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2024
In his role, Nunez withdrew cash from the Lily pharmacy’s corporate bank account in increments of less than $10,000 to avoid reporting requirements and gave some of that money as kickbacks to patient recruiters and Medicare beneficiaries, Egozi wrote in the sentencing memo.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2024
Her Tracy Anderson method routine includes a lot of glute work, squats, standing glute kickbacks, and side kicks; all fitness exercises are done with a wooden box that’s part of Anderson’s MyMode program setup.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 27 Mar. 2024
While the defense teams argued financial kickbacks could be an incentive for Willis to prolong the case, McAfee noted prosecutors asked for a trial within six months of the indictment.
—Aysha Bagchi, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024
Superintendents and assistant superintendents at about 100 New York City public housing buildings collectively took $2 million in kickbacks from contractors in exchange for being awarded small jobs under $10,000 that did not require a bid.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 6 Feb. 2024
Prosecutors said Paradis accepted a kickback from the Ohio attorney.
—Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2023
Jennifer Peltz, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024
The island offers a good mix of opportunities to kick back and relax at a luxury resort, go shopping at the boutiques on Worth Avenue or enjoy cocktails at a swanky club.
—Cynthia J Drake, Southern Living, 25 Mar. 2024
After a morning spent at the new Saks Fifth Avenue West Coast women's flagship (located in the former Beverly Hills Barneys New York space) where the pair presented their Spring Summer 2024 Collection, McCollough and Hernandez were ready to kick back and relax.
—Rachel Marlowe, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2024
Karaoke became a Japanese obsession in the 1970s, associated with hard-drinking salarymen kicking back after work with sake and song.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2024
Once you’re beat from a fantastic hike, kick back at one of San Francisco’s stellar restaurants and bars, or get to planning your next outing beyond the city for a day trip.
—Carey Jones, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Feb. 2024
Some districts have held typical snow days, allowing students to kick back and take the day off.
—Sarah Ritter, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024
In the photo shared to the proud mom's Instagram Story, one of the twins sat on a red velvet bed, reading a book and kicking back her feet.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 20 Mar. 2024
Free gifts, samples and acoustic performances will be present at the activation, so guests can kick back and enjoy the music with friends.
—Matt Tighe, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2024
Noun
Morgan received more than $2.6 million in kickbacks for servicemembers whose prescriptions resulted in TRICARE reimbursements paid to the pharmacy, according to prosecutors.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2024
Senate Bill 1638, which passed both chambers of the Florida Legislature unanimously before landing on DeSantis’ desk, establishes how to use those kickbacks to benefit the state’s natural resources.
—Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 11 Apr. 2024
Now women’s birth control—much of which still comes with plenty of irksome, sometimes risky, side effects—seems due for some kickbacks.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2024
In his role, Nunez withdrew cash from the Lily pharmacy’s corporate bank account in increments of less than $10,000 to avoid reporting requirements and gave some of that money as kickbacks to patient recruiters and Medicare beneficiaries, Egozi wrote in the sentencing memo.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2024
Her Tracy Anderson method routine includes a lot of glute work, squats, standing glute kickbacks, and side kicks; all fitness exercises are done with a wooden box that’s part of Anderson’s MyMode program setup.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 27 Mar. 2024
While the defense teams argued financial kickbacks could be an incentive for Willis to prolong the case, McAfee noted prosecutors asked for a trial within six months of the indictment.
—Aysha Bagchi, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024
Superintendents and assistant superintendents at about 100 New York City public housing buildings collectively took $2 million in kickbacks from contractors in exchange for being awarded small jobs under $10,000 that did not require a bid.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 6 Feb. 2024
Prosecutors said Paradis accepted a kickback from the Ohio attorney.
—Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2023
Verb
First, the court system kicked back Monday’s filing for more paperwork, including a financial statement from Knight Specialty Insurance.
—Jennifer Peltz, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024
The island offers a good mix of opportunities to kick back and relax at a luxury resort, go shopping at the boutiques on Worth Avenue or enjoy cocktails at a swanky club.
—Cynthia J Drake, Southern Living, 25 Mar. 2024
After a morning spent at the new Saks Fifth Avenue West Coast women's flagship (located in the former Beverly Hills Barneys New York space) where the pair presented their Spring Summer 2024 Collection, McCollough and Hernandez were ready to kick back and relax.
—Rachel Marlowe, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2024
Karaoke became a Japanese obsession in the 1970s, associated with hard-drinking salarymen kicking back after work with sake and song.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2024
Once you’re beat from a fantastic hike, kick back at one of San Francisco’s stellar restaurants and bars, or get to planning your next outing beyond the city for a day trip.
—Carey Jones, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Feb. 2024
Some districts have held typical snow days, allowing students to kick back and take the day off.
—Sarah Ritter, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024
In the photo shared to the proud mom's Instagram Story, one of the twins sat on a red velvet bed, reading a book and kicking back her feet.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 20 Mar. 2024
Free gifts, samples and acoustic performances will be present at the activation, so guests can kick back and enjoy the music with friends.
—Matt Tighe, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2024
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.
Articles Related to kickback
Dictionary Entries Near kickback
Cite this Entry
“Kickback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kickback. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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 verbLegal 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.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share