as in backed off
to break a promise or agreement
she backed out on her offer to help with the wedding planning
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Recent Examples of backed out
At the Round Table, Lipinski backed out of voting for Rausch, and players' attitudes then shifted to voting off Anderson.
—
Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 20 Feb. 2026
The night began with boisterous boos during the pregame introduction of a player who backed out on a deal to return to the Bears for his sophomore season.
—Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
In Oklahoma City, after several protests and a packed city council meeting, a company that had planned to sell its warehouse to ICE backed out of the deal – a move cheered by Republican Mayor David Holt.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
Some buyers have also backed out of sales.
—Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
Beck also backed out of the draft to transfer to the Hurricanes.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2026
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
But contracts for the sale fell through and would-be buyers backed out.
—Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
She got accepted for one, but then the sellers backed out.
—Celia Fernandez, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2025
Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 20 Feb. 2026
The night began with boisterous boos during the pregame introduction of a player who backed out on a deal to return to the Bears for his sophomore season.
—Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
In Oklahoma City, after several protests and a packed city council meeting, a company that had planned to sell its warehouse to ICE backed out of the deal – a move cheered by Republican Mayor David Holt.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
Some buyers have also backed out of sales.
—Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
Beck also backed out of the draft to transfer to the Hurricanes.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2026
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
But contracts for the sale fell through and would-be buyers backed out.
—Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
She got accepted for one, but then the sellers backed out.
—Celia Fernandez, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backed out
Verb
-
After gold medal favorite Finley Melville Ives crashed out of contention, the top American contenders, rather sensibly, backed off in their second runs in men's freeski halfpipe qualifying.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
20 Feb. 2026
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The Boston Celtics also retreated with their interest, while the Timberwolves, after showing a willingness to offer two second-round picks for Ellis, backed off as their Giannis Antetokounmpo pursuit ramped up and became the priority.—
Sam Amick,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Google appears to have backed down in its AI dispute with Disney.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
9 Feb. 2026
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The administration has eased its tone and admitted mistakes in its immigration enforcement campaign since Pretti’s killing, but hasn’t backed down completely or paused operations in Minneapolis, as critics demanded.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backed out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backed%20out. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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