kickback
1 of 2noun
kick·back ˈkik-ˌbak 
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
kick back
2 of 2verb
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
Synonyms
Verb
- bask
- loll
- lounge
- relax
- repose
- rest
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 Greg Moran, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Aug. 2022 Hildebrant alleged that Weidman, along with the individual who negotiated the sale for SDI, each sought a kickback from Hildebrant's consulting fee after the sale occurred. Jack Greiner, The Enquirer, 8 June 2022 None of these runners have received any kind of financial kickback from New Generation, but the company is still benefiting from their teams’ name (and logo) recognition to win subscribers. Martin Fritz Huber, Outside Online, 8 Sep. 2021 Steward Health Care System LLC has agreed to pay a $4.7 million settlement to resolve Medicare and Medicaid kickback allegations. Jessica Bartlett, BostonGlobe.com, 9 June 2022 The frustration has been felt by former incarcerated prisoners like Dianthe Brooks, 52, who in 2018 received a four-year sentence after pleading guilty to wire fraud in a million-dollar kickback scheme. Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 3 July 2022 Prosecutors said the largest kickback payments to Mr. Rivera — nearly $690,000 — came from a real estate company that lease records show was linked to his former business partner, Sheina Levin. Amy Julia Harris, New York Times, 23 May 2022 He was accused of supplying false invoices to support the fraudulent claims in exchange for kickback payments that totaled at least $230,000, authorities said. NBC News, 7 Oct. 2021 The investigation exposed kickback schemes involving some of the country’s most powerful politicians and large companies that were awarded billions in government contracts. New York Times, 27 Nov. 2021 See More
Noun
In Adler’s case much of the kickback was made in gold coins, according to court records in the case. Greg Moran, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Aug. 2022 Hildebrant alleged that Weidman, along with the individual who negotiated the sale for SDI, each sought a kickback from Hildebrant's consulting fee after the sale occurred. Jack Greiner, The Enquirer, 8 June 2022 None of these runners have received any kind of financial kickback from New Generation, but the company is still benefiting from their teams’ name (and logo) recognition to win subscribers. Martin Fritz Huber, Outside Online, 8 Sep. 2021 Steward Health Care System LLC has agreed to pay a $4.7 million settlement to resolve Medicare and Medicaid kickback allegations. Jessica Bartlett, BostonGlobe.com, 9 June 2022 The frustration has been felt by former incarcerated prisoners like Dianthe Brooks, 52, who in 2018 received a four-year sentence after pleading guilty to wire fraud in a million-dollar kickback scheme. Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 3 July 2022 Prosecutors said the largest kickback payments to Mr. Rivera — nearly $690,000 — came from a real estate company that lease records show was linked to his former business partner, Sheina Levin. Amy Julia Harris, New York Times, 23 May 2022 He was accused of supplying false invoices to support the fraudulent claims in exchange for kickback payments that totaled at least $230,000, authorities said. NBC News, 7 Oct. 2021 The investigation exposed kickback schemes involving some of the country’s most powerful politicians and large companies that were awarded billions in government contracts. New York Times, 27 Nov. 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
Noun
1920, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Verb
1972, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing kickback
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.