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 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 He was originally committed to USC but backed off that pledge in May. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 30 June 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backed off
Verb
  • But Netflix backed out of the bidding in February after Paramount upped its takeout offer for all of WBD in a deal worth $111 billion.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 13 July 2026
  • The Guerreros had gone to the fair’s opening ceremony to hear the President, whose rally-style speech substituted for the slew of musical artists who had backed out after learning of the event’s partisan origins.
    Andrew Trunsky, New Yorker, 11 July 2026
Verb
  • Blanche backed down and said the Justice Department would not implement the fund.
    Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026
  • Three people had apparently been killed, but the men behind the coup had backed down and Gorbachev was being released.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 June 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 17 Jul. 2026.

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