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
  • Besides, there can often be an emergency need for a back-up story, particularly if a subject backs out of a timely report or a story that was supposed to be ready requires last-minute changes.
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Not wanting to risk a claw to the face, the officers backed out and reassessed the situation.
    — Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of back out
Verb
  • The ball falls to Andersen, who attempts to play a first-time pass back down the line.
    — Thom Harris, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Gauff did not back down, clawing back to break back and make it 5-4.
    — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 11 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
  • In anticipation of a Friday meeting between Newsom and the leaders of the Senate and Assembly, Assemblyman Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Santa Monica) rallied legislators to implore the governor to back off.
    — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Despite the tough talk, Beijing has seen the US threaten – and then back off from – sweeping sanctions before.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 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 13 Sep. 2026.

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