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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Three people had apparently been killed, but the men behind the coup had backed down and Gorbachev was being released.
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Whether La Roja earns another star or comes crashing back down to earth remains to be seen.
Verb
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In at least 11 communities – including Oklahoma City and Kansas City – private developers backed out of sales following local protests.
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No wonder Yard Act realized music is the lifeline that just might pull us back out of the muck.
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 27 Jun. 2026.
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