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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
  • Nikishin not backing off trade request Defenseman Alexander Nikishin remains unsigned by the Carolina Hurricanes as camps get set to open.
    — Pierre LeBrun, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • The stock saw a record high close in June before backing off.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of backing off
Verb
  • Tehran has no intention of backing down in the face of an American naval blockade and attacks on its oil tankers, said the official, who asked not to be identified discussing sensitive matters.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026
  • 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
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 17 Sep. 2026.

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