chickened (out)

verb

past tense of chicken (out)
as in backed off

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for chickened (out)
  1. backed off
  2. backed out
  3. backed down
Verb
  • 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
  • After intense opposition from environmentalists and local residents and business owners, CBP backed off plans this year to build a 30-foot-tall bollard wall through the park.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of backed off
Verb
  • Tickets are still widely available and became even more available once the supporting acts backed out.
    — Kristina Rex, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The directors said two of their colleagues backed out of calling for a meeting after initially supporting the move.
    — Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of backed out
Verb
  • The perception surely irked a man who was just following organizational advice, but Claire never backed down from his role in the deal.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
  • In the face of massive opposition and organizing, the federal government largely backed down.
    — Jesus Chuy Garcia, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of backed down
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
chickened (out)
chicken feed
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Cite this Entry

“Chickened (out).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chickened%20%28out%29. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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