backed out

past tense of back out

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 out The relocations come after the City Council recently backed out of plans to make emergency repairs at the apartment complex after a new owner took over the property. Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026 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, 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 Blackburn declined in July to participate in any debates, and Rose backed out when it was set to be only him and Fritts on stage. Caroline Linton, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026 The data-center project had been put on indefinite hold because the company behind it, Sentinel, had backed out. Ethan Brooks, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026 Commercial shipping trackers said several tankers loaded with Saudi oil backed out of the waterway to avoid attack. Jane Arraf, NPR, 22 July 2026 The artist briefly backed out, leading the cast and crew to use Saturday Night Live cast member Fred Armisen, who impersonated Prince on the sketch show, in a table read. Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026 Smith was supposed to have been involved, according to Brumetti, but backed out. Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backed out
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 gambit worked, as Tech and Sorsby backed down amidst intense national backlash.
    Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 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

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Cite this Entry

“Backed out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backed%20out. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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