yellow

adjective

ˈye-(ˌ)lō How to pronounce yellow (audio)
Definition of yellownext
as in afraid
having or showing a shameful lack of courage you'll come with us into the cave, unless you're yellow

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 yellow Cher’s iconic yellow plaid outfit evoked Kim’s Catholic school girl uniform as imagined by Donatella Versace. — Jonathan Van Meter, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026 It is aged for 11 months on the lees with little to no stirring and has aromas of yellow plum, peach, and citrus flowers with balanced acidity that pave the way for flavors of citrus pith, grapefruit, and green apple. — Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2026 Think terracotta, copper, sunflower yellow, warm browns and deep olives. — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026 The video referee looked at the decision and Diop was yellow-carded. — ABC News, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for yellow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for yellow
  1. afraid
  2. scared
  3. frightened
  4. careful
  5. pusillanimous
  6. spineless
  7. cowardly
  8. craven
Adjective
  • For trick-or-treating, the department warned that small children may be afraid of dogs, while dogs themselves may be afraid of all the commotion with gaggles of kids coming to the door.
    — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Students reported feeling threatened or afraid to be on campus.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of afraid
Adjective
  • The Democratic nominee against Knott hopes for an upset in a year when even Republican members in safe seats like the 13th District are running scared.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Everyone is scared to testify against Szabo, so his legal case is dismissed.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of scared
Adjective
  • Discovering that your identity has been stolen can leave you feeling angry, frightened and unsure where to begin.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • In one video, a young orangutan can be seen crouching in the corner of a small, dark crate, its frightened eyes wide open.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of frightened
Adjective
  • Along with potentially leeching microplastics into your food, plastic food storage containers absorb stains, odors, and flavors, and many require careful hand-washing to prevent them from warping.
    — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Gallery visitors were careful not to step on the sprawling assemblage of photographs, drawings and artifacts scattered across the floor.
    — Jane Horowitz, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of careful
Adjective
  • Some also have lost lawyers, dismayed by the pusillanimous behavior of their leaders.
    — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
  • The second believed the United States could attain comprehensive security through military-technological means and saw diplomacy as a quixotic or pusillanimous enterprise that dishonored and weakened the country.
    — A. Wess Mitchell, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Definition of pusillanimous
Adjective
  • As one of the Brat Pack’s heartthrobs, Andrew McCarthy plays wealthy but spineless Blane, who eventually caves to peer pressure and bails on his burgeoning relationship with Andie.
    — Sezin Devi Koehler, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The spineless league hasn't said a word despite the women continuing to break an anthem rulebook provision that requires them to attend the performance.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of spineless
Adjective
  • The cowardly strike on civilians—some of whom were religious pilgrims—took the lives of at least 14 people and injured more than 300.
    — Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
  • To know that a torture as violent as rape is about to happen ‘upstairs’ and not do ANYTHING ABOUT IT, is sick, cowardly and cold.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of cowardly
Adjective
  • Did my eyes widen, revealing a craven journalist ready to pounce on an exclusive?
    — Jason Sheeler, InStyle, 9 Sep. 2026
  • She was especially hurt that some of the people who criticized Cox most harshly, dismissing him as craven and disingenuous, were those who had the closest relationships with him.
    — McKay Coppins, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of craven

Browse Nearby Words

yelling
yellow
yells
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Yellow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/yellow. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about yellow

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