chickened (out)

verb

past tense of chicken (out)
as in backed off

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for chickened (out)
  1. backed off
  2. backed out
  3. backed down
Verb
  • The officers backed off after firing and could see McAlpin was still moving inside the vehicle.
    — Harry Harris, Mercury News, 17 July 2026
  • The Dolphins’ starting inside linebacker never backed off that claim, and never apologized for it either.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
Definition of backed off
Verb
  • The data-center project had been put on indefinite hold because the company behind it, Sentinel, had backed out.
    — Ethan Brooks, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026
  • Commercial shipping trackers said several tankers loaded with Saudi oil backed out of the waterway to avoid attack.
    — Jane Arraf, NPR, 22 July 2026
Definition of backed out
Verb
  • But the Academy eventually backed down from that idea after the WGA and DGA took issue with the Emmy proposals; the Academy’s director and writer peer groups drafted a compromise.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 17 July 2026
  • Blanche backed down and said the Justice Department would not implement the fund.
    — Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026
Definition of backed 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

chicken
chickened (out)
chicken feed
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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 1 Aug. 2026.

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