as in cowards
a person who shows a shameful lack of courage in the face of danger
a staunch hawk during the drumbeat for war, he proved to be a chicken when it came to actually fighting it
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Recent Examples of chickens
There’s a constant feeling of chickens coming home to roost, regardless of what Amir and Jahan may or may not be up to.
—
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 15 Mar. 2026
It’s also been found in wild birds and killed millions of commercial chickens, geese and ducks.
—Susanne Rust
follow, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
His bald photo, still circulating to millions, had suddenly shifted from a triumphant fan moment to a cautionary tale about counting your chickens before the league year starts.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Mar. 2026
In fact, McCormack is working on his memoir, a story that begins with his days as a young lad tending sheep, pigs, horses, chickens and the occasional beef cow on his family’s farm.
—Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
Village sounds of chickens and goats were pierced by the distant whine of commercial jets climbing out of Agadir’s international airport.
—Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
Seven-year-old Felix Koch quickly gravitated toward the chickens.
—Julianna Lozada, Daily News, 9 Mar. 2026
Earlier this year, Martha welcomed a flock of chickens to her 152-acre farm in Bedford, New York.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 9 Mar. 2026
Some in the West will be tempted to see this as the generals’ chickens coming home to roost.
—Mihir Sharma, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 15 Mar. 2026
It’s also been found in wild birds and killed millions of commercial chickens, geese and ducks.
—Susanne Rust
follow, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
His bald photo, still circulating to millions, had suddenly shifted from a triumphant fan moment to a cautionary tale about counting your chickens before the league year starts.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Mar. 2026
In fact, McCormack is working on his memoir, a story that begins with his days as a young lad tending sheep, pigs, horses, chickens and the occasional beef cow on his family’s farm.
—Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
Village sounds of chickens and goats were pierced by the distant whine of commercial jets climbing out of Agadir’s international airport.
—Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
Seven-year-old Felix Koch quickly gravitated toward the chickens.
—Julianna Lozada, Daily News, 9 Mar. 2026
Earlier this year, Martha welcomed a flock of chickens to her 152-acre farm in Bedford, New York.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 9 Mar. 2026
Some in the West will be tempted to see this as the generals’ chickens coming home to roost.
—Mihir Sharma, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chickens
cowards
Noun
-
Parties aside, the majority of our legislators are cowards.—
Sam Meas,
Boston Herald,
2 Mar. 2026
-
And Trump calls ’em almost like cowards.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chickens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chickens. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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