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
But in August 2022, Centene abruptly backed out of the investment.
—
Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2026
Forney goalkeeper Cinnamon Hurst was able to bat the ball back out where Peyton Hayes was waiting.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Apr. 2026
When Singleton backed out of the draft, Stockton reached out.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026
Feeling confident in his decision to leave the boy with Denzell, Roger heads back out into battle and is thrown backward from another explosion.
—Lincee Ray, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back out
Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2026
Forney goalkeeper Cinnamon Hurst was able to bat the ball back out where Peyton Hayes was waiting.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Apr. 2026
When Singleton backed out of the draft, Stockton reached out.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026
Feeling confident in his decision to leave the boy with Denzell, Roger heads back out into battle and is thrown backward from another explosion.
—Lincee Ray, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back out
Verb
-
The prince reportedly back down when he was told Middleton would not be present either.—
StyleCaster Editors,
StyleCaster,
12 Apr. 2026
-
About 25 minutes before the crew splashed back down on our oasis, Artemis II Cmdr.—
Noah Haggerty,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Labor unions, other interests and influential politicians began backing off their endorsements.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Fierce bipartisan opposition prompted the administration to back off the plans.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA Today,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
To say these machines are too expense is a cop out.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Rather than throwing those bad cops out of the union and asking for better training so cops will never have to ask what to do when a fellow cop appears to have broken the law, Hendry encourages them.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
During a January episode of Dinner’s On Me, the pair recalled the hysterical moment that the show’s casting director, Jeff Greenberg, walked directly into a glass wall near the show’s craft service area.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
-
But titles feel almost superfluous aboard Evrima, where everyone from the tender drivers to food and beverage leads will pause to actually get to know you, and recall your name and story (and even your drink order) throughout your stay to make the entire experience feel organic and warm.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Back out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20out. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
