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

In Oklahoma City, after several protests and a packed city council meeting, a company that had planned to sell its warehouse to ICE backed out of the deal – a move cheered by Republican Mayor David Holt. —Christopher Cann, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026

By 2025, average maturities had maturities had stretched back out to 71 months. —Daniel J. Arbess, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026

Heybike has included several safety features like a magnetic kill switch that shuts off the power if the rider disconnects from the bike, a reverse assist that helps you back out of tight places, and throttle reset protection, which guards against unintentional launches. —New Atlas, 4 Feb. 2026

The middle of the field was empty and the running back out of Ohio State sprinted down field. —Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 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