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
Brazen acidity, firm structure, semi-complex and a delicious accompaniment to prawns, crackers with hummus, or cacciatore chicken. Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025 This ridiculously low price is a zero-commitment way to get crisp fries and chicken. Simon Hill, Wired News, 10 July 2025 The Trump administration has sued California over its animal cruelty laws, saying the state's regulation of chicken farms has led to high egg prices across the country. Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025 Key Facts The Snack Wrap, which features a chicken tender, lettuce, cheese and ranch dressing in a small flour tortilla, returned to McDonald’s franchises nationwide Thursday, nearly a decade after leaving the nationwide menu in 2016. Derek Saul, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for chicken
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chicken
Noun
  • Today’s Republican Party is a bunch of weak, spineless cowards who cower in obedient terror at Trump’s feet.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 12 July 2025
  • Now, all of these cowards that were too scared to give us a chance [want to work with us] because there’s no risk involved anymore.
    Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 2 July 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
  • In addition to selling yellow mustard and hot sauce, the division makes ketchup, onion flavorings and other products.
    Nick Turner, Bloomberg.com, 19 July 2017
Adjective
  • However, New Delhi must address a number of chronic systemic issues that prevent the world’s fourth largest economy ($4.19 trillion by nominal gross domestic product) from becoming a competitive manufacturing destination.
    Kamran Bokhari, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
  • The Congressional Budget Office projected the increase in migrants would boost the U.S. nominal GDP by $8.9 trillion between 2024 to 2034.
    Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • If getting this set up on your own sounds daunting, don’t be afraid to ask for help, McCoy says.
    Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 23 July 2025
  • Although Indiana has not experienced an immigration raid at this scale, community leaders shared that many in migrant communities are afraid that they may potentially be picked up off the street and deported, whether rightfully or not.
    Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • There is a slight risk of excessive rainfall across most of east Central Florida.
    Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 July 2025
  • Perhaps surprising, at-home tests come at a slight subscription premium.
    Andrew Williams, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • Most notable in the repeat of Man of Steel elements and themes, there’s the Kryptonian message threatening earth, which makes the public scared, so Superman turns himself in to government authorities.
    Mark Hughes, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
  • There’s people that are getting into trouble because the powers that be are scared, too.
    Mario Koran, jsonline.com, 12 July 2025
Adjective
  • One nautical mile west of Santorini, opposite the village of Oia and the caldera, lies the tiny island of Therasia, accessible via boat departing from Ammoudi Bay.
    Monica Mendal, Vogue, 15 July 2025
  • The film community of Vancouver Island is tiny compared to the City of Vancouver’s Hollywood North hub.
    Jennie Punter, Variety, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • Many people may be intrinsically frightened of robots.
    Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • More than 25,000 onlookers came to see the whale over the next few days, but when a thunderstorm erupted on July 5, the whale became frightened.
    Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Chicken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chicken. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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