chickened (out)

Definition of chickened (out)next
past tense of chicken (out)
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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for chickened (out)
Verb
  • The administration backed off ending the government conservatorship of the mortgage companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
    ABC News, ABC News, 2 May 2026
  • Officers briefly chased the suspect through Highland Park, but backed off.
    Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • But the seller backed out of the deal.
    Christopher Elliott, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026
  • So after winning a chance to spend $560 for individual tickets in a FIFA lottery last fall, Levinson backed out.
    Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The Republican House leader backed down after Senate GOP leaders agreed to quickly move forward with the reconciliation bill.
    Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026
  • But so far, the Justice Department has not backed down.
    Joe Walsh, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
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.

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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 4 May. 2026.

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