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
Syria then did and Obama backed off a military response.
—
Dana Taylor, USA Today, 19 June 2026
Bessent backed off the idea amid criticism.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 17 June 2026
Johnson quickly backed off the purchase attempt days after it was first reported, despite reports that Morgan Stanley lifted the confidentiality limits.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026
Just this week, Boise Mayor Lauren McLean backed off a plan to raise property taxes above 3%.
—Idaho Statesman, 15 June 2026
Later, Russia backed off, citing the need to conduct additional measurements and inspections of areas where leaks were occurring.
—Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 15 June 2026
The captain backed off, but Curry never forgot the look in his eyes, or the venom in his voice.
—Clint Smith, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026
The driver cut through busy intersections even though officers backed off ground units.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 3 June 2026
Trump has repeatedly set deadlines for Tehran and then backed off.
—Arkansas Online, 24 May 2026
Dana Taylor, USA Today, 19 June 2026
Bessent backed off the idea amid criticism.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 17 June 2026
Johnson quickly backed off the purchase attempt days after it was first reported, despite reports that Morgan Stanley lifted the confidentiality limits.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026
Just this week, Boise Mayor Lauren McLean backed off a plan to raise property taxes above 3%.
—Idaho Statesman, 15 June 2026
Later, Russia backed off, citing the need to conduct additional measurements and inspections of areas where leaks were occurring.
—Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 15 June 2026
The captain backed off, but Curry never forgot the look in his eyes, or the venom in his voice.
—Clint Smith, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026
The driver cut through busy intersections even though officers backed off ground units.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 3 June 2026
Trump has repeatedly set deadlines for Tehran and then backed off.
—Arkansas Online, 24 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backed off
Verb
-
Iran backed out of Friday’s talks after Israel attacked Hezbollah overnight Wednesday, three unnamed diplomats told The New York Times.—
Sara Dorn,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
-
Franco was supposed to be on an X Space Sunday night, but backed out.—
Adam Sabes , CB Cotton,
FOXNews.com,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
The conflict threatened to explode again on Monday, when Iran and Israel fired missiles at each other before both sides backed down.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
8 June 2026
-
Wednesday, a white van backed down the driveway.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backed off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backed%20off. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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