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
  • The Sooners got the ball back out of the break and went up 17-0 on the third play, a 32-yard pass from Mateer to Rocky Beers up the middle.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • McLaren Racing wants to see some of its finest cars back out on the track.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of back out
Verb
  • With three running backs down, TCU will lean on sophomore Jon Denman and potentially two true freshmen.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Global temperatures could overshoot targets in the short term, so long as enough carbon was eventually sucked back out of the air to bring those temperatures back down.
    — Katie Worth, ProPublica, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of back down
Verb
  • Lozano Garita said as he was led by cops out of the 101st Precinct stationhouse Tuesday afternoon to be arraigned in Queens Criminal Court.
    — Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 27 Oct. 2026
  • 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
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
  • Territorial Dominance When smaller birds back off from a confrontation and cede their spot at the feeder, blue jays look even more hostile.
    — Blythe Copeland, Martha Stewart, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Florida appears to have backed off its plans to spend nearly $200 million in federal funds meant for electric car chargers on flying cars instead, according to documents obtained by the Miami Herald.
    — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 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 3 Nov. 2026.

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