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

Amodei had refused to back down over concerns the company’s products could be used for mass surveillance or autonomous armed drones. — ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026

The researchers could then right the robot 90% of the time by moving its motor back down the tower. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026

For now, the company is limited to just 15 minutes of operation in space before the chips have to be shut off to cool back down. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 24 Sep. 2026

Sheeran himself has faced significant backlash over the move, with critics blasting him for backing down, not supporting Macklemore and seeking to avoid taking sides on the matter. — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 24 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