BACK OUT Synonyms: 32 Similar and Opposite Words

back out

verb

Definition of back out

as in to back down

to break a promise or agreement she backed out on her offer to help with the wedding planning

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 out And don't feed the turkey so KDKA-TV isn't back out in Bethel Park for a candlelight vigil. — Meghan Schiller, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026 With his team up a touchdown midway through the first quarter, Jalen Brewster trotted back out to the field. — Mcclain Baxley For The Ajc, AJC.com, 11 Sep. 2026 Somebody was probably backing out of our neighbor’s driveway, and hit it! — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2026 The purchase of a Premier League club in 2021 has come to look like a sound investment, and there is little obvious sense that PIF wishes to back out of St James’ Park. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for back out

Recent Examples of Synonyms for back out

Verb

For nearly two hours, 1,800 American troops stood their ground against seasoned British and Hessian regulars in open-field combat before driving the enemy back down the slope.

— Harry Ostrer, New York Daily News, 16 Sep. 2026
Suddenly, yellow smoke fills the doorway and the officers race back down the stairs.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of back down

Verb

Her biggest gripe was with the aviation industry and its longstanding rule that flight attendants aren’t paid until the plane backs off from the gate (or the aircraft doors are closed).

— Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 18 Sep. 2026
Stocks also got a boost yesterday when the 10-year Treasury yield backed off from highs not seen in almost three years.

— Alex Harring, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of back off

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

Verb

Any costs or savings to administer recall elections would be dependent on which office was being recalled.

— Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2026
If an official is recalled, the office would be declared vacant in the manner provided by law for filling that vacancy.

— Cam'ron Hardy, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of recall

Browse Nearby Words

back off

back out

backpack

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Back out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20out. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of back out

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

tactile

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 25

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes