BACKED OFF Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

backed off

verb

past tense of back off

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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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 off 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, 19 Aug. 2026 Cunningham has not backed off her stance despite the criticism. — S.e. Jenkins, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026 By midmorning, as investors digested all of this data, bond traders backed off from betting that the Fed would hike rates this year. — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 13 Aug. 2026 County and state officials have backed off immediate intervention after finding LAUSD technically compliant with a budget deadline. — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026 But a New York Times report published Tuesday shows one of the most prominent GOP donors has quietly backed off. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026 The officers backed off after firing and could see McAlpin was still moving inside the vehicle. — Harry Harris, Mercury News, 17 July 2026 The Dolphins’ starting inside linebacker never backed off that claim, and never apologized for it either. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026 The Houthis had backed off any attacks on shipping in the Red Sea since Israel and Hamas came to a ceasefire to end their two-year war last fall. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 6 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for backed off

Verb

She was briefly considered to be a Taiwan People's Party legislator candidate, but had backed out owing to questions about her loyalty and affiliation with China.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
The Porter Town Council granted Weiss a Planned Unit Development (PUD) agreement for the property, but the developer backed out.

— Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of backed out

Verb

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

Definition of backed down

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backed down

backed off

backed out

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“Backed off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backed%20off. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of backed off

verb

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