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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Recent Examples of back out
Community leaders, organizers and residents criticized anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and the Trump administration’s rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives— a move that led to some corporate sponsors backing out of the event.
—
Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 16 June 2025
Larry Hovis After another actor backed out of the TV show, Larry Hovis was cast as Sgt.
—Meredith Wilshere, People.com, 8 June 2025
In addition, the consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton, a major federal contractor, backed out of its 2025 WorldPride contract in a move that critics thought bent to government pressure.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 6 June 2025
Esther has a steep driveway that continuously triggers Subaru’s Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB) system when backing out of her driveway.
—Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for back out
Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 16 June 2025
Larry Hovis After another actor backed out of the TV show, Larry Hovis was cast as Sgt.
—Meredith Wilshere, People.com, 8 June 2025
In addition, the consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton, a major federal contractor, backed out of its 2025 WorldPride contract in a move that critics thought bent to government pressure.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 6 June 2025
Esther has a steep driveway that continuously triggers Subaru’s Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB) system when backing out of her driveway.
—Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for back out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back out
Verb
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Uncertainty ahead The justices kicked the cases challenging the birthright citizenship policy back down to the lower courts, where judges will have to decide how to tailor their orders to comply with the new ruling.—
Tim Sullivan,
Los Angeles Times,
28 June 2025
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Trump's Homeland Security leadership appears to have no plans to back down.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA Today,
28 June 2025
Verb
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With one out and nobody on base, Padres starter Randy Vásquez threw an inside, knee-high heater for ball one, brushing Ohtani back off the plate.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
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On Friday, police Capt. Charles Lara said the department has since backed off that practice in order to come into full compliance with state law known as SB 34, which dictates what can be shared with out-of-state or federal agencies.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 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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Today, as fears of authoritarianism and political demagogues have been unexpectedly rekindled, certain episodes are again recalled, especially those with political and social themes – which were contained within at least 1/3 of the total produced.—
Jody Mamone,
Hartford Courant,
21 June 2025
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Now the court returned to the Erie doctrine which, it will be recalled, requires a federal court sitting in diversity jurisdiction to apply state substantive law but federal procedural law.—
Jay Adkisson,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Back out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20out. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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