chicken 1 of 2

as in coward
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

chicken

2 of 2

adjective

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of chicken
Noun
The unique snack features organic chicken nuggets with a French cream and is topped with a pickle and a crown of caviar. Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025 Meets educational requirement for city and county urban chicken programs. Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2025 Stir in mayonnaise, chicken broth, lemon juice, and grated onion. Elizabeth Passarella, Southern Living, 2 Apr. 2025 What to try: Visitors can order from a new food menu that includes banh mi sliders and piri piri chicken tenders. Alayna Alvarez, Axios, 22 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for chicken
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chicken
Noun
  • There is no way a coward like Musk is in a position to accuse Sen. Kelly of being a traitor.
    DP Opinion, The Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2025
  • This is a cop novel that fully satisfies its genre expectations — chases, gun battles, sinister bad guys, questionable cops, cowards and heroes.
    Claude Peck, Boston Herald, 16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The look features bright coral eyeshadow covering the eyelid, a fuchsia shade in the crease, and a swipe of fluorescent yellow eyeliner on the outside half of the eye and right under the brow.
    Andrea Park, Teen Vogue, 20 July 2017
  • Three prominent Austin chefs teamed up with the Youngblood family to build a new restaurant from scratch that looks like a legacy chicken dinner house, down to the bright blue-and-yellow colors and the helpings of hot yeast rolls with honey.
    Bud Kennedy, star-telegram, 19 July 2017
Adjective
  • These games will be purchasable standalone on the eShop and presumably at retail, or upgraded to for a nominal fee for existing owners of the game, much like how the PS5 handles its cross-gen upgrades.
    Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
  • For adults, the service would be available for a nominal fee.
    Federico Guerrini, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Will Poulter has never been afraid to get rough on screen and the same apparently applies to his work process as well.
    Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 6 Apr. 2025
  • And most importantly, surround yourself with other women who think big, talk money openly, and aren’t afraid to build serious wealth.
    Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Dawn came on chilly with a slight overcast and a light breeze.
    Jeffrey A. Brunk, Outdoor Life, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The rear camera's OIS yields mostly smooth video, but there's some slight bumpiness here and there.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Three minors heard gunfire and believed they had been fired at, and were scared of being shot, wrote Sheriff’s Deputy Dave Walls.
    Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 9 Apr. 2025
  • For those who have been scared to shift away from grays and creams, these shades offer an ideal compromise.
    Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Known for: Its tiny colorful bags, like Le Bisou, Mini Chiquito, and Bambino.
    Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The internet has fallen head-over-heels for a tiny puppy who discovered his own reflection and instantly tried to engage it in play.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Hearts Melt At Moment 'Shut Down' Foster Dog Decides To Trust New Family By Rachael O'Connor Life and Trends Reporter Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member news article 0 Animal lovers' hearts have soared at the moment a frightened foster dog chose to trust the family in her new home.
    Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
  • That takes some fortitude, when world trade is on the verge of collapse, consumers are frightened and businesses can’t plan anything.
    William Baldwin, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Chicken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chicken. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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