as in to chicken (out)
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Recent Examples of wimp out
Some plants wimp out when temperatures soar—but not these heat-tolerant perennials.
—
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 6 June 2025
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
There is a chance that central banks will wimp out and blink, and not be willing to fight inflation.
—Nouriel Roubini, Time, 13 Oct. 2022
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 6 June 2025
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
There is a chance that central banks will wimp out and blink, and not be willing to fight inflation.
—Nouriel Roubini, Time, 13 Oct. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wimp out
Verb
-
The trail eventually tilts back down toward the city, where car honks and train horns replace the cries of birds and insects.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
-
That pulls cooler air up and pushes warm air (which rises to the ceiling) back down into the room without creating a draft.—
Ryan Brennan
May 4,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Early in the film, Perry sits behind the wheel of her car, adjusts the rearview mirror and backs out of the garage.—
Pamela Chelin,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
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Investigators said Horner accidentally struck the child with his delivery truck while backing out of the driveway.—
Briauna Brown,
CBS News,
5 May 2026
Verb
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Murphy said Newsom has championed major policies and been reluctant to back off them later when revenue doesn’t pencil out.—
Taryn Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2026
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The administration backed off ending the government conservatorship of the mortgage companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Climb the 900-odd steps (or cop out in a car) for a walk through its eight baroque bastions and some breathtaking views.—
Helen Brown,
TheWeek,
30 Apr. 2026
-
To say these machines are too expense is a cop out.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wimp out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wimp%20out. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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