as in to back down
to break a promise or agreement
you'd better not back off on your promise to do all the planning for the big dance
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of back off
But that’s only when Tom Holland backs off.
—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 June 2026
Johnson quickly backed off the purchase attempt days after it was first reported, despite reports that Morgan Stanley lifted the confidentiality limits.
—
Jake Sheridan,
Chicago Tribune,
16 June 2026
However, Stephanie didn't back off and pressed Parker — who somewhat admitted to faking a pregnancy, but only because her mom made her.
—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
Reaching a resolution The standoff continued into Friday morning, when Russian astronauts appeared to back off their plans, only to subsequently approach the PrK module with a saw and the intent to remove a load-bearing bracket.
—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for back off
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 June 2026
Johnson quickly backed off the purchase attempt days after it was first reported, despite reports that Morgan Stanley lifted the confidentiality limits.
—
Jake Sheridan,
Chicago Tribune,
16 June 2026
However, Stephanie didn't back off and pressed Parker — who somewhat admitted to faking a pregnancy, but only because her mom made her.
—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
Reaching a resolution The standoff continued into Friday morning, when Russian astronauts appeared to back off their plans, only to subsequently approach the PrK module with a saw and the intent to remove a load-bearing bracket.
—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for back off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back off
Verb
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After shooting up to an all-time high of over $225, shares of the rocket company have swung wildly back down to Earth, betraying plenty of uncertainty over the company’s dizzying, north-of-$2-trillion market cap.
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The prisoner is placed in restraints and led back down the wing before being transported to Florida State Prison and placed on death watch.
Verb
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Allow both arms to extend back out and continue this pattern for 12 repetitions, two sets.
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Crews were back out on Saturday to search for a man who Elgin police said was running away with a large knife and went into the Fox River after an incident Friday morning.
Verb
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Strategic shakeup Usually buying and selling is a cop out, but with where the Red Sox are in their competitive cycle the approach might make some sense.
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The case, which has only recently come to the attention of POST officials, highlights the limits of state oversight even after lawmakers passed significant police reform aimed at forcing dishonest cops out of the profession.
Cite this Entry
“Back off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20off. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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