as in to back out
to break a promise or agreement
if you back down about dinner again, I'm not going to agree to another date
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of back down
Natalie doesn’t back down when something gets difficult.
—
Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 27 May 2026
Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon isn’t backing down from her opinion that a short guard can’t lead a team to an NBA title, even after what Jalen Brunson did Monday night.
—Devon Henderson, New York Times, 27 May 2026
At that point, the weather service expects the upper-level troughing to bring temperatures back down.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 27 May 2026
Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon didn't completely back down from her assertion a small player can't lead his team to the NBA championship now that Jalen Brunson has taken the New York Knicks to the NBA Finals.
—ABC News, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for back down
Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 27 May 2026
Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon isn’t backing down from her opinion that a short guard can’t lead a team to an NBA title, even after what Jalen Brunson did Monday night.
—Devon Henderson, New York Times, 27 May 2026
At that point, the weather service expects the upper-level troughing to bring temperatures back down.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 27 May 2026
Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon didn't completely back down from her assertion a small player can't lead his team to the NBA championship now that Jalen Brunson has taken the New York Knicks to the NBA Finals.
—ABC News, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for back down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back down
Verb
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The Knicks are back out in front, as Jalen Brunson is balling despite hobbling after hurting his right knee and left ankle.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
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After not starting for seven games, Song played at second base Sunday and Tuesday while Tatis moved back out to right field.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 June 2026
Verb
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The driver cut through busy intersections even though officers backed off ground units.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
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But ongoing discussions Friday suggested federal officials may be backing off some of the stricter monitoring proposals.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
31 May 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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In a 1977 interview with Rolling Stone, George Lucas recalled his then-Marcia Lucas’ work on editing the original Star Wars’ final battle sequence.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
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In a corresponding move, the Royals recalled right-hander Eric Cerantola from Triple-A Omaha.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Back down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20down. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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