as in backed off
to break a promise or agreement
if you back down about dinner again, I'm not going to agree to another date
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Recent Examples of backed down
Three people had apparently been killed, but the men behind the coup had backed down and Gorbachev was being released.
—
Literary Hub,
22 June 2026
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,
14 May 2026
Turner eventually backed down, deciding the colorization process was not cost-efficient.
—
Daniel Arkin,
NBC news,
6 May 2026
Benavidez, even when being backed down by Ramirez, delivered his signature rapid-fire combinations, usually pelting his opponent's head.
—
ABC News,
3 May 2026
The Republican House leader backed down after Senate GOP leaders agreed to quickly move forward with the reconciliation bill.
—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
30 Apr. 2026
But so far, the Justice Department has not backed down.
—
Joe Walsh,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
The state backed down after the outcry.
—
John Aguilar,
Denver Post,
15 Apr. 2026
Literary Hub,
22 June 2026
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,
14 May 2026
Turner eventually backed down, deciding the colorization process was not cost-efficient.
—
Daniel Arkin,
NBC news,
6 May 2026
Benavidez, even when being backed down by Ramirez, delivered his signature rapid-fire combinations, usually pelting his opponent's head.
—
ABC News,
3 May 2026
The Republican House leader backed down after Senate GOP leaders agreed to quickly move forward with the reconciliation bill.
—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
30 Apr. 2026
But so far, the Justice Department has not backed down.
—
Joe Walsh,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
The state backed down after the outcry.
—
John Aguilar,
Denver Post,
15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backed down
Verb
-
He was originally committed to USC but backed off that pledge in May.
-
Syria then did and Obama backed off a military response.
Verb
-
The actor was a replacement after Madonna backed out, leaving the proto-rave tune one of the era’s most unlikely collaborations.
-
Reardon added that some dock space rentals have been canceled, and Airbnb renters have backed out.
Cite this Entry
“Backed down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backed%20down. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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