back out

verb

backed out; backing out; backs out

intransitive verb

: to withdraw especially from a commitment or contest

Examples of back out in a Sentence

she backed out on her offer to help with the wedding planning
Recent Examples on the Web JetBlue later declined to appeal the ruling, instead opting to pay a $69 million breakup fee plus hundreds of millions to its shareholders to back out of the deal. Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2024 According to Casper, only a serious health ailment constituted a legitimate excuse to back out. Luke Mogelson, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024 In previous years, the royal family has typically hosted a festive lunch at Windsor Castle following the service, but this year, the celebrations have been scaled back out of respect and concern for Charles’s health. Elise Taylor, Vogue, 31 Mar. 2024 About a minute later, police and an apparent burst of pepper spray push the crowd back out. USA TODAY, 30 Mar. 2024 The highly contentious case, involving a one-count plea deal Puig accepted and then backed out of, is still pending. Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2024 Zook’s story, the black Chevy, the cell phone data – all were enough for Phillips to reach back out to Diamond’s parents. Julia Prodis Sulek, The Mercury News, 24 Mar. 2024 Each time the man laid the items back out, the mouse had cleaned them up again by the following morning. Matt Benoit, Discover Magazine, 1 Mar. 2024 This request arose after her sister's boyfriend backed out of plans to watch the child to go on a trip with his friends instead. Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'back out.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of back out was in 1801

Dictionary Entries Near back out

Cite this Entry

“Back out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/back%20out. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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