chicken (out)

verb

Definition of chicken (out)next
as in to back out

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for chicken (out)
  1. back out
  2. back down
  3. cop out
  4. wimp out
  5. back off
Verb
  • But Baltimore backed out of its trade for Maxx Crosby, and thus this Chiefs-Raiders game, like many in the past, will have the Chiefs’ best player under fire from the top player on the other side.
    — Scott Chasen, Kansas City Star, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The Yankees were up and down, and back out on defense within what felt like a matter of seconds.
    — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of back out
Verb
  • At one point, the audience tentatively started clapping then quickly quieted back down.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Amodei had refused to back down over concerns the company’s products could be used for mass surveillance or autonomous armed drones.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of back down
Verb
  • Strategic shakeup Usually buying and selling is a cop out, but with where the Red Sox are in their competitive cycle the approach might make some sense.
    — Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026
  • The case highlighted limits in Colorado's police oversight despite significant recent reforms aimed at forcing dishonest cops out of the profession.
    — Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 22 May 2026
Definition of cop out
Verb
  • Some plants wimp out when temperatures soar—but not these heat-tolerant perennials.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 10 May 2026
  • These thick, long-lasting steamers will never wimp out mid-shower, and the cute packaging sure doesn't hurt either.
    — Annie Blackman, Allure, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of wimp out
Verb
  • Costello almost released his earliest recordings 35 years ago, then backed off.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 4 Oct. 2026
  • After intense opposition from environmentalists and local residents and business owners, the agency backed off plans this year to build a 30-foot-tall bollard wall through the park.
    — Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of back off
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.

Browse Nearby Words

chicken-livered
chicken (out)
chickens
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Cite this Entry

“Chicken (out).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chicken%20%28out%29. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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