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 Traditionally, tempeh is made by fermenting whole black or yellow soybeans with the fungus Rhizopus oligosporus, and then compacting it into small loaves which are then wrapped in banana leaves to age. — Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2026 The company began running its neon-yellow trains between Miami and West Palm Beach in 2018. — Michelle Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026 Kristin, a cool, calm, and collected crisis negotiator from the purple tribe, negotiates with Kilby, a game designer from Canada on the yellow tribe. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026 The flashing yellow phase at the traffic signal is also meant to help with traffic flow and reduce emissions by decreasing wait times at the light. — Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 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
  • Despite not registering a goal or an assist in just over an hour on the pitch, the youngster was never afraid to receive the ball and try to make something happen.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026
  • As in the past, the show’s creators are seemingly not afraid to bite the hand that feeds them.
    — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of afraid
Adjective
  • But others remain scared about losing coverage, including Heather Reel, who attended a rally at the state capitol in July to push back against Montana's early rollout.
    — Aaron Bolton, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Cooper, for his part, acts all scared when Kat mentions visiting him and Gen in Fort Lauderdale.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of scared
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, some of the frightened and wary passengers wondered about them and whether they could be trusted.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
  • He’s supposed to be embarrassed by me, not frightened for me.
    — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of frightened
Adjective
  • Nick wants to be careful about their firm’s spending, but Serena reminds him that Cathcarts has every resource at its disposal.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The Iranian regime will need to be careful before launching such an attack, or even before undertaking lesser forms of escalation.
    — Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, Foreign Affairs, 1 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
  • While opponents treated Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham like punching bags, White hid behind spineless PR fluff instead of defending her stars.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Trump does not ask, but demands, and these spineless Republicans fall on their knees and yield to his wishes.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of spineless
Adjective
  • 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
  • In the case stood the cowardly lion's costume from the original film The Wizard of Oz from 1938.
    — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 22 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 5 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on yellow

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about yellow

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