backed down

past tense of back down

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 backed down In the face of massive opposition and organizing, the federal government largely backed down. Jesus Chuy Garcia, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2026 The Brawling Birds, Alex Windsor and Jamie Hayter, have been two women who have not backed down from challenging Bayne and Kross. Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026 The club backed down, increasing prices by three per cent for this season and introducing a price freeze for the 2027-28 campaign. Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Other artists may have backed down or said they were misquoted, but not Dolly. Melinda Newman, Billboard, 25 Aug. 2026 Worried about the potential fine — which, Dantona noted, the city worker had been polite about explaining — the homeowner backed down and asked Brodeur to cut back the grass. Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Raq was fly, never backed down, and didn't rat when her back was against the wall, all in the midst of trying to protect her son Kanan (Mekai Curtis), who is determined to build his own empire outside of his family. Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026 But the Academy eventually backed down from that idea after the WGA and DGA took issue with the Emmy proposals; the Academy’s director and writer peer groups drafted a compromise. Michael Schneider, Variety, 17 July 2026 Blanche backed down and said the Justice Department would not implement the fund. Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backed down
Verb
  • Cinema United, the movie theater trade organization, once vociferously opposed to the merger, backed off Tuesday and called for a settlement to avoid industry uncertainty.
    Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The Los Angeles district attorney has backed off felony charges against a police officer who secretly recorded his colleagues making racist remarks after facing criticism the response was too harsh and could deter whistleblowers from coming forward.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The directors said two of their colleagues backed out of calling for a meeting after initially supporting the move.
    Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Not wanting to risk a claw to the face, the officers backed out and reassessed the situation.
    Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 2 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Backed down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backed%20down. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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