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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of chicken
Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 15 Apr. 2025
Chicken Liver Protein: 20.8 grams per 3-ounce serving Organ meats, like chicken liver, are high in protein.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 14 Apr. 2025
Since the current bird flu outbreak began, more than 168 million birds have been slaughtered, most of them egg-laying chickens.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2025
Now, 35 years after opening the doors, owner Tom Sasser and his teams are still frying up the chicken strips that made me — and a lot of Charlotte — a believer.
—Deanna Taylor, Charlotte Observer, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chicken
Noun
Place chicken in large bowl and season with 1 1/2 teaspoons each salt and pepper.
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 15 Apr. 2025
Chicken Liver Protein: 20.8 grams per 3-ounce serving Organ meats, like chicken liver, are high in protein.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 14 Apr. 2025
Since the current bird flu outbreak began, more than 168 million birds have been slaughtered, most of them egg-laying chickens.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2025
Now, 35 years after opening the doors, owner Tom Sasser and his teams are still frying up the chicken strips that made me — and a lot of Charlotte — a believer.
—Deanna Taylor, Charlotte Observer, 10 Apr. 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
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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
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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
-
Some combination of bad staff work and bad judgment on her part led Whitmer to be used as a political prop who lent some nominal bipartisanship to an episode that Democrats would very much like Trump to have sole ownership of.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
11 Apr. 2025
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Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders are nominal political outsiders, regular critics of the Democratic establishment and proud progressives who are beloved by leftwing base voters — qualities that have advantages in today’s political environment.—
David M. Drucker,
Boston Herald,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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If you’re seated at a gate where the next flight doesn’t leave for six hours, don’t be afraid to post up and get comfy.—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Give it up for the queen of not being afraid to reference or not reference (but mostly reference).—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Dawn came on chilly with a slight overcast and a light breeze.—
Jeffrey A. Brunk,
Outdoor Life,
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
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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
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Known for: Its tiny colorful bags, like Le Bisou, Mini Chiquito, and Bambino.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
10 Apr. 2025
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Since this tiny home lacks a dedicated bedroom, the sofa doubles as a bed.—
Adam Williams,
New Atlas,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Chicken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chicken. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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