as in backed out
to break a promise or agreement
you'd better not back off on your promise to do all the planning for the big dance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of backed off
But the president backed off after appeals from San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and tech executives, including Marc Benioff, the Salesforce CEO whose family name is attached to the Oakland children’s hospital.
—
Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2026
Trump appears to have backed off those tariffs—for now—but the markets (and much of Europe) reacted sharply to the threat.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Late in the second half, Kuhr backed off the blitz some and called more Cover 2 to reduce the chances of a breakaway touchdown that could fast-track Houston's comeback efforts.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 20 Jan. 2026
But last month, Critchfield backed off in the face of a challenging state budget.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
Hegseth this week backed off that losing proposition and instead issued a censure for Kelly and started a process to demote him in retirement, which would reduce his pension.
—Chris Brennan, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who launched a full-scale invasion of Russia’s much smaller neighbor in February 2022, has not backed off maximalist demands that would see Ukraine blocked from integrating with the West and limit its ability to defend itself.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 27 Dec. 2025
Still, while the index has remained within 3% of its record high, that was eight weeks ago, and the benchmark backed off decisively from those peak readings in the past week.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 18 Dec. 2025
However, after Monday night's 27-17 loss to the Cardinals, Jones backed off that comment, suggesting to reporters that no trade had been consummated just yet.
—Andrew McCarty, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2026
Trump appears to have backed off those tariffs—for now—but the markets (and much of Europe) reacted sharply to the threat.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Late in the second half, Kuhr backed off the blitz some and called more Cover 2 to reduce the chances of a breakaway touchdown that could fast-track Houston's comeback efforts.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 20 Jan. 2026
But last month, Critchfield backed off in the face of a challenging state budget.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
Hegseth this week backed off that losing proposition and instead issued a censure for Kelly and started a process to demote him in retirement, which would reduce his pension.
—Chris Brennan, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who launched a full-scale invasion of Russia’s much smaller neighbor in February 2022, has not backed off maximalist demands that would see Ukraine blocked from integrating with the West and limit its ability to defend itself.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 27 Dec. 2025
Still, while the index has remained within 3% of its record high, that was eight weeks ago, and the benchmark backed off decisively from those peak readings in the past week.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 18 Dec. 2025
However, after Monday night's 27-17 loss to the Cardinals, Jones backed off that comment, suggesting to reporters that no trade had been consummated just yet.
—Andrew McCarty, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backed off
Verb
-
Some buyers have also backed out of sales.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Beck also backed out of the draft to transfer to the Hurricanes.—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The administration has eased its tone and admitted mistakes in its immigration enforcement campaign since Pretti’s killing, but hasn’t backed down completely or paused operations in Minneapolis, as critics demanded.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
-
And Zelensky just hasn’t backed down, and Zelensky’s had the temerity to take him on, on a number of occasions, to push back.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backed off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backed%20off. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
