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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples 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 back off
While Walz supports a state public option in Minnesota, Harris has backed off of previous support for a federal single-payer system such as Medicare for all.
—
Max Nesterak, ProPublica, 31 Oct. 2024
Prosecutors asked the grand jury to back off after jurors considered indicting him.
Reach the reporter at rstern@arizonarepublic.com or 480-276-3237.
—Ray Stern, The Arizona Republic, 1 Nov. 2024
At the last minute, major Venezuelan officials backed off the ledge.
—Zach Dorfman, WIRED, 31 Oct. 2024
But the solution isn’t to back off completely or, on the flip side, to control every aspect of the process.
—Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for back off 
Max Nesterak, ProPublica, 31 Oct. 2024
Prosecutors asked the grand jury to back off after jurors considered indicting him.
Reach the reporter at rstern@arizonarepublic.com or 480-276-3237.
—Ray Stern, The Arizona Republic, 1 Nov. 2024
At the last minute, major Venezuelan officials backed off the ledge.
—Zach Dorfman, WIRED, 31 Oct. 2024
But the solution isn’t to back off completely or, on the flip side, to control every aspect of the process.
—Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for back off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back off
Verb
-
The main source of that message has been Trump, who has never backed down from his claims that the 2020 elections were stolen from him.Simon Shuster, TIME, 2 Nov. 2024
-
Petty didn’t back down and MCA changed their plans, enshrining his reputation as an honorable guy who cared more about his fans than his own bottom line.Al Shipley, SPIN, 1 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
This summer, the moment felt right for Purpura to reach back out to Hart.Andrew Watman, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
-
The soap ensures that gnats who enter the trap can’t fly back out.Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Who's the cat that won't cop out when there's danger all about?Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 22 July 2024
-
He was walked by cops out of the 105th Precinct in handcuffs Thursday morning and later arraigned in Queens Criminal Supreme Court on murder charges.Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 30 May 2024
Articles Related to back off
Thesaurus Entries Near back off
Cite this Entry
“Back off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20off. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share