back off

verb

backed off; backing off; backs off

Examples of back off in a Sentence

you'd better not back off on your promise to do all the planning for the big dance
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.
Trump had earlier suggested Chicago could be the next target of a National Guard deployment but has since backed off out of concern that doing so without Pritzker’s agreement could create legal headache, sources familiar with the matter told CNN last month. Hanna Park, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025 Without their back pressure, defencemen need to back off and give the opposing rush space to avoid getting beat. Arpon Basu, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025 Yes, the members of season 27’s cast are almost all playing the game poorly, backing off from big moves out of fear or changing their minds at the last moment to vote out their own allies. Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2025 Small and mid-sized countries that were energetically pursuing Security Council reform have backed off and are waiting for a clear signal of what—if anything—Trump will say about it. Richard Gowan, Time, 22 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for back off

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of back off was in 1920

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Cite this Entry

“Back off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/back%20off. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

back off

verb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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