as in to back out
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of back down
The climb-down on tariffs may open the way to a summit with the U.S., but experts say Beijing will not back down from its territorial claims.
—
Natasha Frost, New York Times, 15 May 2025
He’s known mostly for his defensive effort and isn’t the type to back down from a challenge.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2025
The salary aprons will bring the top teams back down in a season or so.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 12 May 2025
He was sent back down to Triple-A after some early struggles.
—Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for back down
Natasha Frost, New York Times, 15 May 2025
He’s known mostly for his defensive effort and isn’t the type to back down from a challenge.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2025
The salary aprons will bring the top teams back down in a season or so.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 12 May 2025
He was sent back down to Triple-A after some early struggles.
—Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for back down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back down
Verb
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With seven seconds left on the clock, Haliburton took the ball the full length of the floor, crossed-over Mikal Bridges, then met Mitchell Robinson in the paint before retreating back out to the top of the key and heaving a shot from downtown.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
22 May 2025
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And that could mean reaching back out to free agent reliever David Robertson, after it was reported the Phillies already contacted him about a possible reunion.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 May 2025
Verb
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Economists, for now, are not expecting a recession this year now that Trump has backed off his highest tariffs.—
Lisa Kailai Han,Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
21 May 2025
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After a call between President Trump and Mr. Putin on Monday, the White House backed off its demand that Russia declare an immediate cease-fire.—
Jeanna Smialek,
New York Times,
20 May 2025
Verb
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About 20 minutes later, the two cops out in front were joined by a third officer.—
Melody Chiu,
People.com,
7 Jan. 2025
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The judges avoid giving critiques to the girls this week but do talk among one another, which is kind of weird but also means that nobody gets to cop out of Rate-a-Queen and just imitate the judges.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has estimated that salmonella causes about 420 deaths annually in the U.S. A photo of the affected product in the Williams Farms Repack LLC recall.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
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Nolan recalled a University of Wisconsin assistant attending a Great Valley game.—
Tim Casey,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Back down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20down. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.
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