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 WebJulia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 10 May 2024
States that allow tablets in their institutions also benefit from major kickbacks from those telecom companies in the form of revenue- and profit-sharing and incentives.
—Gabrielle Caplan, WIRED, 6 May 2024
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
Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 14 May 2024
While adults browse the eight dining options or get a signature massage at the Rock Spa, kids will kick back at the Hard Rock Roxity Kids Club, Teens Club, or even the on-site bowling alley.
—Meagan Drillinger, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2024
In just the last three years, the estimate for the four-station, mostly underground extension has more than doubled, from $5.6 billion to $12.8 billion, and the completion date has been kicked back more than a decade, from 2026 to 2037.
—Daniel Borenstein, The Mercury News, 11 May 2024
The trial kicked back off with Stormy Daniels back on the stand.
—Graham Kates, CBS News, 9 May 2024
Before the Eras Tour kicks back off, however, Swift will release her new studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, on April 19.
—Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024
Above the basement lounge is another place to kick back: the attic bar, with skylights and a refrigerator for guests to enjoy.
—Journal Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2024
Fans will become distracted, or at least until MLB’s awkward offseason kicks back in.
—Maury Brown, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
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
Noun
It’s paired with a live-edge timber headboard and mirrored kickback boards to give the illusion that the bed is floating.
—Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 10 May 2024
States that allow tablets in their institutions also benefit from major kickbacks from those telecom companies in the form of revenue- and profit-sharing and incentives.
—Gabrielle Caplan, WIRED, 6 May 2024
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
Verb
These family-friendly events are both laid-back and buzzy, perfect for kids who want to play in wide-open spaces and adults who’d like to kick back with a drink and a slice in the bucolic Wisconsin countryside.
—Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 14 May 2024
While adults browse the eight dining options or get a signature massage at the Rock Spa, kids will kick back at the Hard Rock Roxity Kids Club, Teens Club, or even the on-site bowling alley.
—Meagan Drillinger, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2024
In just the last three years, the estimate for the four-station, mostly underground extension has more than doubled, from $5.6 billion to $12.8 billion, and the completion date has been kicked back more than a decade, from 2026 to 2037.
—Daniel Borenstein, The Mercury News, 11 May 2024
The trial kicked back off with Stormy Daniels back on the stand.
—Graham Kates, CBS News, 9 May 2024
Before the Eras Tour kicks back off, however, Swift will release her new studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, on April 19.
—Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024
Above the basement lounge is another place to kick back: the attic bar, with skylights and a refrigerator for guests to enjoy.
—Journal Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2024
Fans will become distracted, or at least until MLB’s awkward offseason kicks back in.
—Maury Brown, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
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
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.
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Cite this Entry
“Kickback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kickback. Accessed 19 May. 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.
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