as in backed off
to break a promise or agreement
if you back down about dinner again, I'm not going to agree to another date
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Recent Examples of backed down
Wednesday, a white van backed down the driveway.
—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
Turner eventually backed down, deciding the colorization process was not cost-efficient.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 6 May 2026
Benavidez, even when being backed down by Ramirez, delivered his signature rapid-fire combinations, usually pelting his opponent's head.
—ABC News, 3 May 2026
The Republican House leader backed down after Senate GOP leaders agreed to quickly move forward with the reconciliation bill.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026
But so far, the Justice Department has not backed down.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
The state backed down after the outcry.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2026
Carpenter hasn’t backed down and continues to stand firm on her controversial music.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
In Alexandria, for instance, councilors recently tried to raise utility costs 60% to fund a clean water project, but after dozens of residents packed a city council meeting to complain, leaders backed down.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 31 Mar. 2026
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
Turner eventually backed down, deciding the colorization process was not cost-efficient.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 6 May 2026
Benavidez, even when being backed down by Ramirez, delivered his signature rapid-fire combinations, usually pelting his opponent's head.
—ABC News, 3 May 2026
The Republican House leader backed down after Senate GOP leaders agreed to quickly move forward with the reconciliation bill.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026
But so far, the Justice Department has not backed down.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
The state backed down after the outcry.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2026
Carpenter hasn’t backed down and continues to stand firm on her controversial music.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
In Alexandria, for instance, councilors recently tried to raise utility costs 60% to fund a clean water project, but after dozens of residents packed a city council meeting to complain, leaders backed down.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backed down
Verb
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States have also backed off on strict consequences for schools whose students fail to make progress on standardized tests, Kane said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
-
States have also backed off on strict consequences for schools whose students fail to make progress on standardized tests, Kane said.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
Verb
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The creators of Conan the Barbarian (1982), with whom Mattel had a contract to create a Conan toy line before the toy company backed out, sued Mattel in 1984.—
Sanat Pai RaikarAll,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
4 May 2026
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But the seller backed out of the deal.—
Christopher Elliott,
Mercury News,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backed down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backed%20down. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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