back down

verb

backed down; backing down; backs down

intransitive verb

: to withdraw from a commitment or position

Synonyms of back down

• back out
• back off
• cop out
• recall

Examples of back down in a Sentence

if you back down about dinner again, I'm not going to agree to another date

Recent Examples on the Web

The ball falls to Andersen, who attempts to play a first-time pass back down the line. — Thom Harris, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Tehran has no intention of backing down in the face of an American naval blockade and attacks on its oil tankers, said the official, who asked not to be identified discussing sensitive matters. — Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026

Instead of heading back to Tallahassee to then promptly drive back down, FAMU has stayed in the Miami area between games. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2026

The price on Hunt's victory slid back down, but two days later, several wallets pushed it back up on both Polymarket and Kalshi, according to the report. — Garrett Downs, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for back down

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown

Kids Definition

back down

verb

: to retreat from a stand one has taken or from a challenge one has accepted