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
The measure will come as talks between Tehran and Washington have stalled, with both sides refusing to back down on their demands.
—
Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
When the rich and powerful special interests show up, politicians back down.
—Tom Steyer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026
Looping back down toward town through the devastating remains of beachfront houses and empty lots lost during the Palisades Fire served as another reminder of where DTaC’s fundraising can help anyone battling Parkinson’s.
—Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 1 May 2026
The crowd thundered as the giant screen lowered back down like a curtain.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back down
Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
When the rich and powerful special interests show up, politicians back down.
—Tom Steyer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026
Looping back down toward town through the devastating remains of beachfront houses and empty lots lost during the Palisades Fire served as another reminder of where DTaC’s fundraising can help anyone battling Parkinson’s.
—Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 1 May 2026
The crowd thundered as the giant screen lowered back down like a curtain.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back down
Verb
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The board’s attorney initially said CRTPO couldn’t back out of the agreement after that deadline.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Apr. 2026
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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
Verb
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Murphy said Newsom has championed major policies and been reluctant to back off them later when revenue doesn’t pencil out.—
Taryn Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2026
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The administration backed off ending the government conservatorship of the mortgage companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 May 2026
Verb
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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
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To say these machines are too expense is a cop out.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Hostile former customers recalled poor customer service and flight experiences, while the more charitable lamented that the affordable airline could no longer offer a trade-off of service for a better price.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
2 May 2026
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Smyre recalled that Scott would go into the well during tense House-Senate moments and lay into him when Smyre was House Rules chair.—
Greg Bluestein,
AJC.com,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Back down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20down. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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