wussed
Lost one's nerve
Wussed is the past tense of wuss out, meaning to back down from something out of fear or timidity: He wussed out of the bungee jump at the last second.
A wuss is someone weak or cowardly, and wussed captures the moment of giving in to that weakness.
Retreated from fear
- backed downRetreated from a position
- cavedSurrendered after resistance
- retreatedMoved backward from advance
- surrenderedCeased resistance formally
folded · balked · flinched · cowered · shrank · capitulated · yielded · relented
Bent down suddenly
- dodgedAvoided by quick movement
- sidesteppedAvoided by moving aside
- evadedSuccessfully avoided capture
- shirkedAvoided obligated tasks
skipped · escaped · opted out · backed away · pulled out · begged off · excused · declined
chickened
Retreated from fear
- backed downRetreated from a position
- cavedSurrendered after resistance
- retreatedMoved backward from advance
surrendered · folded · balked · flinched · cowered · shrank · capitulated · yielded · relented · crumbled
ducked
Bent down suddenly
- dodgedAvoided by quick movement
- sidesteppedAvoided by moving aside
- evadedSuccessfully avoided capture
shirked · skipped · escaped · opted out · backed away · pulled out · begged off · excused · declined · refused
wussedfollowed through
Completed what was started
persevered · committed · doubled down · pushed through · stood one's ground
wussedtoughed out
Endured despite difficulty
hung tough · persevered · endured · weathered · powered through
- wuss outWithdraw from fear
- wussed outWithdrew from fear
- wussing outCowardly withdrawal from commitment