back out

verb

backed out; backing out; backs out

intransitive verb

: to withdraw especially from a commitment or contest

Synonyms of back out

• back down
• back off
• cop out
• recall

Examples of back out in a Sentence

she backed out on her offer to help with the wedding planning

Recent Examples on the Web

Known for her habit of rewearing pieces from her own wardrobe, the Princess was first photographed in the coat during a visit to Ireland in 2020, before bringing it back out for a royal train tour in December that year. —Emily Chan, Vogue, 5 Dec. 2025

Ah-jin leaves Jun-seo to die, instead choosing to start the climb back out of the latest ditch. —Kayti Burt, Time, 4 Dec. 2025

Late in the opening period, with New York in the bonus, rookie Amari Williams checked in, intentionally fouled Robinson away from the ball and then immediately subbed back out. —Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 3 Dec. 2025

These ultra-fine spiky structures serve as traps for light, forcing it to bounce around inside the fabric rather than reflecting back out. —Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for back out

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout