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
1
as in yellow
having or showing a shameful lack of courage
too chicken to go through with the stunt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nominal
so small or unimportant as to warrant little or no attention
just concentrate on the important duties of the job and forget about the chicken stuff
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of chicken
The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
Today on the show: How super chickens and NBA All-Stars demonstrate the perils of individual performance.
—Darian Woods, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025
Anyone who fails at handling chickens will fail their animal trainer education.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 8 Sep. 2025
First, this is a movie about a chicken and a man called the Chicken Man called Lizard Music.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chicken
Noun
Another pasta, striped like a candy cane, is filled with chicken from a farm at the city’s edge and strewn with local lemon balm, shiso, and cilantro.
—The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
Today on the show: How super chickens and NBA All-Stars demonstrate the perils of individual performance.
—Darian Woods, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025
Anyone who fails at handling chickens will fail their animal trainer education.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 8 Sep. 2025
First, this is a movie about a chicken and a man called the Chicken Man called Lizard Music.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chicken
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chicken
Noun
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So this coward had to fire from outside of the church, through the church windows and into the church.—
Greg Norman,
FOXNews.com,
28 Aug. 2025
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According to Boxing called Davis a coward for his decision.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The airport in Cap-Haïtien was calm and orderly, the streets were alive with daily commerce and children in bright yellow uniforms played together during recess.—
Footwear News,
Footwear News,
12 Sep. 2025
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However, Diggs has a yellow brick road in front of him to rewrite the narrative of his second contract with a strong start to the season and a return to prime form in 2025.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Since 2020, public debt has surged by approximately 61%, outpacing nominal GDP growth of 38% through Q2 2025.—
Bob Haber,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Richard Kone, a goalscorer on the opening day of last season at the SToK Cae Ras in Wycombe Wanderers colours, may have been the nominal front man in a 4-2-3-1 set-up, but his link-up play and intelligent movement were matched by Harvey Vale, Koki Saito and Rumarn Burrell.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Beck has a fluid, quick throwing motion and isn’t afraid to fit the ball into tight windows.—
Dane Brugler,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
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Luckily, the 2025 Emmys shows us that, now more than ever, men aren’t afraid to show a little personality in their red carpet looks.—
Brett F. Braley-Palko,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The night’s slight chill is perfect for a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon by an indoor fireplace or outdoor firepit.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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Julie McNamara is back developing series for CBS Studios — with one slight difference.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This version of Frankenstein’s monster enters the world as a frightened newborn babe, scared and curious and desperate for human affection.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
9 Sep. 2025
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In fact, Vanngo wants everyone to keep in mind that makeup is meant to be played and experimented with, so don’t be scared to try a new look.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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When the tiny home arrives, a semi-permanent setup is as easy as leveling the surface, hooking up utilities, and anchoring the home, if desired, which can be accomplished with the help of the builder’s team.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
14 Sep. 2025
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Every day is a new chance to accurately fix the coördinates of my appearance in clothes, to make tiny adjustments, as if focussing a lens.—
Rachel Kushner,
New Yorker,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Republicans are frightened, too.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
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Farima was withdrawn and frightened.—
Sarah Ferguson,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chicken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chicken. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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