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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Evanilson’s effort hit the post and popped back out to Amine Adli who, on the bounce, knocked in his first Bournemouth goal. Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025 In his sketches, even the most oddball figures—a focus-group participant with terrible ideas, a man struggling to back out of a parking lot—are self-conscious about their unpopularity. Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 28 Nov. 2025 On the next Quincy (7-4) drive, senior Leo Steinberg (22 carries, 227 yards) scampered 65 yards to paydirt for the third time to push the lead back out to 21-7. Brian Roach, Boston Herald, 27 Nov. 2025 Many agreed that if the plans changed without her input, backing out was completely reasonable. Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for back out

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined above

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Back out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/back%20out. Accessed 2 Dec. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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