as in coward
a person who shows a shameful lack of courage in the face of danger
a staunch hawk during the drumbeat for war, he proved to be a chicken when it came to actually fighting it
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in yellow
having or showing a shameful lack of courage
too chicken to go through with the stunt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nominal
so small or unimportant as to warrant little or no attention
just concentrate on the important duties of the job and forget about the chicken stuff
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of chicken
Chris Kenning, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
The highest-risk strains were most often found in chicken and turkey.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Shredded rotisserie chicken makes a nice addition.
—Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 24 Oct. 2025
But just as Pierre’s chicken tastes more or less the same as Nadine’s, so Olympia’s goals are more or less the same as Matty’s.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chicken
Noun
Other events included releasing chickens into a crowd that scrambled to catch them, with winners taking them home, according to one report about the town’s history.
—Chris Kenning, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
The highest-risk strains were most often found in chicken and turkey.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Shredded rotisserie chicken makes a nice addition.
—Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 24 Oct. 2025
But just as Pierre’s chicken tastes more or less the same as Nadine’s, so Olympia’s goals are more or less the same as Matty’s.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chicken
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chicken
Noun
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The crowd applauds for 13 seconds both at the intense, almost Chris Farley–esque yell itself and the absurdity of Maron’s desire to be a manly coward.—
John Roy,
Vulture,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Just an utter coward folding to this embarrassing paper tiger administration.—
Megan Cartwright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The timeless combination of yellow cake and chocolate frosting is a bucket list must that’s easy to whip up for birthdays, holidays, or any day.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025
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Behind those waiting along the driveway, a tan fence concealed the demolition of the East Wing, though a yellow bulldozer peeked out over the top.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The focus was to provide more attacking numbers in advanced areas to maintain territorial dominance, with a midfield pair — or ‘double pivot’ — providing the defensive foundation behind a nominal front four.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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Alongside contemporaries including Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill and Maxwell, the neo-soul class focused on recapturing the live, thick instrumentation, rich songwriting and weighted, passionate delivery of its nominal genre predecessor.—
Trevor Anderson,
Billboard,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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After long mornings at my father’s bedside, my mother and I arrived at Confiserie Sprüngli weary and afraid.—
Aleksandra Crapanzano,
The Atlantic,
27 Oct. 2025
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And while Parker wasn’t afraid of no ghosts, what about Huey Lewis’ lawyers?—
Joe Lynch,
Billboard,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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As her new album opens, Brandi Carlile is having a slight argument with herself.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
28 Oct. 2025
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The whisky is lovely despite its age (remember, sometimes older whiskies are not actually that good), with notes of caramel, licorice, mango, apple, berry, cinnamon, and a slight wisp of smoke on the palate.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In the past, many manga and anime publishers were scared to work with Hollywood.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Oct. 2025
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There is no reason for this team, when playing complementary football, to be scared of anyone.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Earth, a tiny target in the vastness of space, would often be spared from being hit by these magnetic projectiles.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
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Sometimes changing the world starts with a tiny needle.—
Barbara Bry,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The Japanese had cyclotrons but no nuclear lobby driven by frightened, concerned, or ambitious scientists.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
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Her parents were opposed to the Russian occupation but too frightened to talk about it.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
19 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chicken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chicken. Accessed 2 Nov. 2025.
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