back off

verb

Definition of back offnext
as in to back down
to break a promise or agreement you'd better not back off on your promise to do all the planning for the big dance

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of back off He was originally committed to USC but backed off that pledge in May. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026 Campbell committed to the Hurricanes more than two years before ultimately signing, never backing off his commitment. — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2026 Latvian intelligence argues that Putin is not only looking for ways to pressure NATO countries to back off Ukraine, but may also be receiving distorted assessments from inside his own system — raising the risk that Russia could misjudge Western resolve. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026 Syria then did and Obama backed off a military response. — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for back off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back off
  1. back down
  2. back out
  3. cop out
Verb
  • But the Academy eventually backed down from that idea after the WGA and DGA took issue with the Emmy proposals; the Academy’s director and writer peer groups drafted a compromise.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 17 July 2026
  • That was resistance for most of the past year, and since March it's flipped into support, the stock has come back down to test it a handful of times on pullbacks and bounced every time.
    — Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 16 July 2026
Definition of back down
Verb
  • But Netflix backed out of the bidding in February after Paramount upped its takeout offer for all of WBD in a deal worth $111 billion.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 13 July 2026
  • But their erotic encounter is short-lived, as Joe tumbles and blows his back out while sheepishly dancing to Sade.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 11 July 2026
Definition of back out
Verb
  • 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
  • The case highlighted limits in Colorado's police oversight despite significant recent reforms aimed at forcing dishonest cops out of the profession.
    — Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 22 May 2026
Definition of cop out

Browse Nearby Words

back of
back off
back out
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Cite this Entry

“Back off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20off. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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