chickening (out)

verb

present participle of chicken (out)
as in backing out

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for chickening (out)
  1. backing out
  2. backing off
  3. backing down
Verb
  • After backing out those sectors, the economy would’ve added 70,000 jobs, in line with Wall Street’s consensus, instead of losing 23,000 jobs.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Sources said a different Big 12 team, TCU, was the initial target before backing out of what essentially is a home game for the Aztecs.
    — Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2026
Definition of backing out
Verb
  • The stock saw a record high close in June before backing off.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Michigan gas prices have been hovering above the national average; even with the state backing off from the usual expensive summer blend fuel requirement for Metro Detroit this summer.
    — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 13 July 2026
Definition of backing off
Verb
  • Unfortunately, because the militias are extremely willing to use force against their own people, including against security forces, the government finds itself in a position of backing down in the face of these militias.
    — Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026
  • But the hardliners appear to have gained the upper hand, and Iran shows no sign of backing down.
    — Matthew Lee, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of backing 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

chickenhearted
chickening (out)
Chicken Little
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chickening (out).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chickening%20%28out%29. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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