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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of back out
Whale biologists generally hold that a whale that repeatedly strands itself usually has severe underlying health issues; even towing it back out to deeper waters may not keep it from starving or drowning.
—
Jessica Camille Aguirre, New Yorker, 2 May 2026
On the day of her death, investigators reached back out to the companies with an emergency request because of the homicide, according to the records.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 1 May 2026
Minnesota pushed it back out to 8.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
The whale faced significant odds finding its own way back out into the North Sea and into the Atlantic Ocean.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back out
Jessica Camille Aguirre, New Yorker, 2 May 2026
On the day of her death, investigators reached back out to the companies with an emergency request because of the homicide, according to the records.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 1 May 2026
Minnesota pushed it back out to 8.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
The whale faced significant odds finding its own way back out into the North Sea and into the Atlantic Ocean.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back out
Verb
-
The trail eventually tilts back down toward the city, where car honks and train horns replace the cries of birds and insects.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
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That pulls cooler air up and pushes warm air (which rises to the ceiling) back down into the room without creating a draft.—
Ryan Brennan
May 4,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Murphy said Newsom has championed major policies and been reluctant to back off them later when revenue doesn’t pencil out.—
Taryn Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2026
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The administration backed off ending the government conservatorship of the mortgage companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Climb the 900-odd steps (or cop out in a car) for a walk through its eight baroque bastions and some breathtaking views.—
Helen Brown,
TheWeek,
30 Apr. 2026
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To say these machines are too expense is a cop out.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Mercedes-Benz’s decision to switch to digital gauge clusters in its cars and SUVs has forced it to recall over 144,000 vehicles, according to Road & Track.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
9 May 2026
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The Dodgers recalled reliever Paul Gervase to fill Glasnow’s roster spot.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Back out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20out. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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