backed off

past tense of back off

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 off 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 In a 2025 report issued on Tuesday, the intelligence agency said there were no indications that the party had backed off its problematic views. ABC News, 3 July 2026 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
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
Verb
  • 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
  • But the Academy eventually backed down from that idea after the WGA and DGA took issue with the Emmy proposals; the Academy’s director and writer peer groups drafted a compromise.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 17 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Backed off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backed%20off. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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