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
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Recent Examples of back out
Whale biologists generally hold that a whale that repeatedly strands itself usually has severe underlying health issues; even towing it back out to deeper waters may not keep it from starving or drowning.
—
Jessica Camille Aguirre, New Yorker, 2 May 2026
On the day of her death, investigators reached back out to the companies with an emergency request because of the homicide, according to the records.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 1 May 2026
Minnesota pushed it back out to 8.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
The whale faced significant odds finding its own way back out into the North Sea and into the Atlantic Ocean.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back out
Jessica Camille Aguirre, New Yorker, 2 May 2026
On the day of her death, investigators reached back out to the companies with an emergency request because of the homicide, according to the records.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 1 May 2026
Minnesota pushed it back out to 8.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
The whale faced significant odds finding its own way back out into the North Sea and into the Atlantic Ocean.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back out
Verb
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Let’s get inflation back down to 2%.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 May 2026
-
While the baking soda is sitting, bring another pot of baking soda to a boil and slowly pour it back down the drain once the ten minutes are up.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
8 May 2026
Verb
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States have also backed off on strict consequences for schools whose students fail to make progress on standardized tests, Kane said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
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States have also backed off on strict consequences for schools whose students fail to make progress on standardized tests, Kane said.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
Verb
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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
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Climb the 900-odd steps (or cop out in a car) for a walk through its eight baroque bastions and some breathtaking views.—
Helen Brown,
TheWeek,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Mercedes-Benz’s decision to switch to digital gauge clusters in its cars and SUVs has forced it to recall over 144,000 vehicles, according to Road & Track.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
9 May 2026
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The Dodgers recalled reliever Paul Gervase to fill Glasnow’s roster spot.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Back out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20out. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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