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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
  • Others, including major philanthropic institutions, have pulled back out of fear of retribution that giving to political or racial justice causes could draw the administration's ire.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Others, including major philanthropic institutions, have pulled back out of fear of retribution that giving to political or racial justice causes could draw the administration’s ire.
    — Matt Brown, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of back out
Verb
  • For now, the company is limited to just 15 minutes of operation in space before the chips have to be shut off to cool back down.
    — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Sheeran himself has faced significant backlash over the move, with critics blasting him for backing down, not supporting Macklemore and seeking to avoid taking sides on the matter.
    — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 24 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
  • Her biggest gripe was with the aviation industry and its longstanding rule that flight attendants aren’t paid until the plane backs off from the gate (or the aircraft doors are closed).
    — Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Stocks also got a boost yesterday when the 10-year Treasury yield backed off from highs not seen in almost three years.
    — Alex Harring, CNBC, 15 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chicken (out).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chicken%20%28out%29. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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