as in to back out
to break a promise or agreement
if you back down about dinner again, I'm not going to agree to another date
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of back down
Refusing to back down, Jones took the challenge public.
—
Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 23 June 2025
Meanwhile, Khamenei must now consider backing down as never before.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 21 June 2025
The same for policing; now that crime has been pushed back down, it must be kept that way.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 June 2025
Our original itinerary involved an ambitious first day: 23 miles from Newfound Gap to Cosby Knob Shelter, with several thousand feet up and back down.
—Grayson Haver Currin, Outside Online, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for back down
Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 23 June 2025
Meanwhile, Khamenei must now consider backing down as never before.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 21 June 2025
The same for policing; now that crime has been pushed back down, it must be kept that way.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 June 2025
Our original itinerary involved an ambitious first day: 23 miles from Newfound Gap to Cosby Knob Shelter, with several thousand feet up and back down.
—Grayson Haver Currin, Outside Online, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for back down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back down
Verb
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When Harper asks Pam if anyone ever left the group after just one turn of the Wheel, Pam — a true believer — can’t fathom backing out of the group.—
Jim Ruland,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2025
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After the team in March backed out of an agreement to build a new stadium as part of a massive redevelopment in downtown St. Petersburg, several Tampa Bay area groups expressed interest in buying the team.—
Marc Topkin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
18 June 2025
Verb
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Perhaps most importantly, President Donald Trump backed off from the stiffest tariffs on key U.S. partners as countries continue to negotiate trade deals in the summer.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
26 June 2025
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The talks between Russia, Ukraine and third countries have struggled to make progress after Moscow refused to back off its maximalist demands and presented a ceasefire proposal that would essentially amount to Ukraine’s capitulation.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
26 June 2025
Verb
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But with that brief wave of hope came new footage on Twitter every night of the NYPD acting like bad cops out of a Harvey Keitel flick: cops harassing peaceful crowds, cops kettling activists, cops literally driving a car into a crowd of protestors.—
Maris Kreizman,
Rolling Stone,
24 June 2025
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The relative lack of substance across the board can’t help feeling like a cop out for a show that’s been capable of a lot more.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
14 June 2025
Verb
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These board members are unfit to serve and must be recalled to restore accountability and public confidence.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 June 2025
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Comments Midway through season 6 of Boy Meets World, Rider Strong recalls feeling tired of acting out dramatic storylines for his character Shawn Hunter.—
Daysia Tolentino,
EW.com,
21 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Back down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20down. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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