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

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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 Finally, as if to ward off any lingering party-going spirits, hotel security calmly ushered everyone back out into the witching hour. — Lauren Sanchez, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2026 It’s been about a two-year process to put the book back out in the world, TCU Press director Dan Williams said. — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2026 Was there a difference for you in terms of shifting back out of that anniversary spectacle and back to your regular routine and new players? — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Sep. 2026 Others, including major philanthropic institutions, have pulled back out of fear of retribution that giving to political or racial justice causes could draw the administration's ire. — ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for back out

Recent Examples of Synonyms for back out

Verb

However, a lack of specifics boiled over after Meta's second-quarter earnings miss and disappointing guidance in late July, sending the stock right back down.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026
The perception surely irked a man who was just following organizational advice, but Claire never backed down from his role in the deal.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of back down

Verb

Costello almost released his earliest recordings 35 years ago, then backed off.

— Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 4 Oct. 2026
After intense opposition from environmentalists and local residents and business owners, the agency backed off plans this year to build a 30-foot-tall bollard wall through the park.

— Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 30 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

From Fall 2019, Vaccarello’s collections began not only to recall Saint Laurent’s gestures, but to expand upon and modernize them — testing the extremes of the founder’s silhouettes and codes to generate almost unbearable visual tension.

— Luke Leitch, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2026
One lot of a dietary supplement for babies has been voluntarily recalled due to alcohol content.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of recall

Browse Nearby Words

back off

back out

backpack

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Style

“Back out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20out. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of back out

verb

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