as in backed out
to break a promise or agreement
you'd better not back off on your promise to do all the planning for the big dance
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Recent Examples of backed off
Trump appears to have backed off those tariffs—for now—but the markets (and much of Europe) reacted sharply to the threat.
—
Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Late in the second half, Kuhr backed off the blitz some and called more Cover 2 to reduce the chances of a breakaway touchdown that could fast-track Houston's comeback efforts.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 20 Jan. 2026
But last month, Critchfield backed off in the face of a challenging state budget.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
Hegseth this week backed off that losing proposition and instead issued a censure for Kelly and started a process to demote him in retirement, which would reduce his pension.
—Chris Brennan, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who launched a full-scale invasion of Russia’s much smaller neighbor in February 2022, has not backed off maximalist demands that would see Ukraine blocked from integrating with the West and limit its ability to defend itself.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 27 Dec. 2025
Still, while the index has remained within 3% of its record high, that was eight weeks ago, and the benchmark backed off decisively from those peak readings in the past week.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 18 Dec. 2025
In Cincinnati's case, the developer and city backed off, ending the referendum.
—Carl Weiser, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Nov. 2025
However, after Monday night's 27-17 loss to the Cardinals, Jones backed off that comment, suggesting to reporters that no trade had been consummated just yet.
—Andrew McCarty, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Late in the second half, Kuhr backed off the blitz some and called more Cover 2 to reduce the chances of a breakaway touchdown that could fast-track Houston's comeback efforts.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 20 Jan. 2026
But last month, Critchfield backed off in the face of a challenging state budget.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
Hegseth this week backed off that losing proposition and instead issued a censure for Kelly and started a process to demote him in retirement, which would reduce his pension.
—Chris Brennan, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who launched a full-scale invasion of Russia’s much smaller neighbor in February 2022, has not backed off maximalist demands that would see Ukraine blocked from integrating with the West and limit its ability to defend itself.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 27 Dec. 2025
Still, while the index has remained within 3% of its record high, that was eight weeks ago, and the benchmark backed off decisively from those peak readings in the past week.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 18 Dec. 2025
In Cincinnati's case, the developer and city backed off, ending the referendum.
—Carl Weiser, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Nov. 2025
However, after Monday night's 27-17 loss to the Cardinals, Jones backed off that comment, suggesting to reporters that no trade had been consummated just yet.
—Andrew McCarty, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backed off
Verb
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Will Arnett will fill David Harbour's shoes after the Stranger Things star backed out of director Tony Gilroy's upcoming drama, Entertainment Weekly has confirmed.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Jan. 2026
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But contracts for the sale fell through and would-be buyers backed out.—
Steven Walker,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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And Zelensky just hasn’t backed down, and Zelensky’s had the temerity to take him on, on a number of occasions, to push back.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
21 Jan. 2026
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Twelves hooked up to a hydrant, and Alves grabbed a chainsaw off the rig to trim some of the trees along the houses as the fire backed down the hill toward them.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backed off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backed%20off. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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