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

And on the back end, the Trojans continue to be caught flat-footed, with defensive backs out of position. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Surveillance video showed the person with a bat backing out of the store and swinging the bat at one of the workers. — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

Finally, as if to ward off any lingering party-going spirits, hotel security calmly ushered everyone back out into the witching hour. — Lauren Sanchez, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2026

It’s been about a two-year process to put the book back out in the world, TCU Press director Dan Williams said. — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2026

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