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
  • Manager Joe Espada considered sending Brown back out for the eighth, but settled for seven of the best innings any of his starters have thrown all season.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 26 July 2026
  • The award-winning regional Mexican group is heading back out on the road with the Amor Nocturno tour, their most ambitious outing yet.
    — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 24 July 2026
Definition of back out
Verb
  • De Puy didn’t back down, though, and questioned the fellow competitor’s tactics in front of everyone else.
    — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026
  • No, Sasaki didn’t need to be sent back down to the minor leagues.
    — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 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
  • When the wind switches or an outside factor becomes evident, Fox will back off his shot.
    — Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • The officers backed off after firing and could see McAlpin was still moving inside the vehicle.
    — Harry Harris, Mercury News, 17 July 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 2 Aug. 2026.

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