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
Refusing to back down, Jones took the challenge public.
—
Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 23 June 2025
Meanwhile, Khamenei must now consider backing down as never before.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 21 June 2025
The same for policing; now that crime has been pushed back down, it must be kept that way.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 June 2025
Our original itinerary involved an ambitious first day: 23 miles from Newfound Gap to Cosby Knob Shelter, with several thousand feet up and back down.
—Grayson Haver Currin, Outside Online, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for back down
Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 23 June 2025
Meanwhile, Khamenei must now consider backing down as never before.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 21 June 2025
The same for policing; now that crime has been pushed back down, it must be kept that way.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 June 2025
Our original itinerary involved an ambitious first day: 23 miles from Newfound Gap to Cosby Knob Shelter, with several thousand feet up and back down.
—Grayson Haver Currin, Outside Online, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for back down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back down
Verb
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When Harper asks Pam if anyone ever left the group after just one turn of the Wheel, Pam — a true believer — can’t fathom backing out of the group.—
Jim Ruland,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2025
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Finding his courage, Spike convinces his mom to follow him back out into the world, hoping to find a cure or simply some kind of explanation.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
18 June 2025
Verb
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With one out and nobody on base, Padres starter Randy Vásquez threw an inside, knee-high heater for ball one, brushing Ohtani back off the plate.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
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On Friday, police Capt. Charles Lara said the department has since backed off that practice in order to come into full compliance with state law known as SB 34, which dictates what can be shared with out-of-state or federal agencies.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 June 2025
Verb
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But with that brief wave of hope came new footage on Twitter every night of the NYPD acting like bad cops out of a Harvey Keitel flick: cops harassing peaceful crowds, cops kettling activists, cops literally driving a car into a crowd of protestors.—
Maris Kreizman,
Rolling Stone,
24 June 2025
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The relative lack of substance across the board can’t help feeling like a cop out for a show that’s been capable of a lot more.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
14 June 2025
Verb
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These board members are unfit to serve and must be recalled to restore accountability and public confidence.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 June 2025
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Verlander placed on paternity list The Giants placed right-hander Justin Verlander on the paternity list prior to Friday’s game and recalled infielder Brett Wisely from Triple-A Sacramento.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
21 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Back down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20down. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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