as in to back down
to break a promise or agreement
she backed out on her offer to help with the wedding planning
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Recent Examples of back out
Investors pulled funds from FTX, including Binance, which backed out of a deal to buy FTX.
—
Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
The former is set up the same way, with Sam refusing to kiss Percy during a game of truth or dare, only for Charlie to swoop in — and ultimately back out in the show.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 11 June 2026
Sources said a different Big 12 team, TCU, was the initial target before backing out of what essentially is a home game for the Aztecs.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2026
Hazel was chasing a stream of water down the street while her father was pressure washing their driveway outside when she was hit by a car backing out of a nearby driveway, her parents told KPCQ.
—Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for back out
Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
The former is set up the same way, with Sam refusing to kiss Percy during a game of truth or dare, only for Charlie to swoop in — and ultimately back out in the show.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 11 June 2026
Sources said a different Big 12 team, TCU, was the initial target before backing out of what essentially is a home game for the Aztecs.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2026
Hazel was chasing a stream of water down the street while her father was pressure washing their driveway outside when she was hit by a car backing out of a nearby driveway, her parents told KPCQ.
—Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for back out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back out
Verb
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Unlike many Republicans in Congress, however, Carroll refused to back down.—
Tom Zirpoli,
Baltimore Sun,
15 June 2026
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Brunson would not go quietly, using another flurry of points to cut the Spurs’ lead back down to six as the quarter neared the halfway point.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
Verb
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Bessent backed off the idea amid criticism.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
17 June 2026
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But that’s only when Tom Holland backs off.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Strategic shakeup Usually buying and selling is a cop out, but with where the Red Sox are in their competitive cycle the approach might make some sense.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
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The case, which has only recently come to the attention of POST officials, highlights the limits of state oversight even after lawmakers passed significant police reform aimed at forcing dishonest cops out of the profession.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Aquazzura designed the Sea Wave silhouette to recall a shimmering wave, using transparent PVC and tonal metallic leather to create its fluid profile.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
13 June 2026
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Ford is recalling more than 250,000 vehicles that were incorrectly repaired under a previous recall meant to fix a problem that caused the engine to stall while driving, according to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Back out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20out. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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