back out

verb

backed out; backing out; backs out

intransitive verb

: to withdraw especially from a commitment or contest

Synonyms

• 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

His decision to pair low-energy Harris English with Collin Morikawa was a disaster Friday morning, never mind his decision to send them back out there Saturday despite Data Golf’s analytics that said English-Morikawa was the 132nd best American foursomes team — out of 132 options. —Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025

The president backed out of a meeting tentatively planned for Thursday after a top Republican panned the talks. —Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 24 Sep. 2025

Now, it’s been open about a month, customers are flowing in at a steady clip and rave reviews are pouring back out. —Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 24 Sep. 2025

After backing out of Monday's Dawson's Creek cast reunion in New York City due to illness, James Van Der Beek still made a surprise appearance at the event in a sweet video message for attendees and his fellow cast members. —Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Sep. 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