as in backed out
to break a promise or agreement
you'd better not back off on your promise to do all the planning for the big dance
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Recent Examples of backed off
But last month, Critchfield backed off in the face of a challenging state budget.
—
Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
Hegseth this week backed off that losing proposition and instead issued a censure for Kelly and started a process to demote him in retirement, which would reduce his pension.
—Chris Brennan, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who launched a full-scale invasion of Russia’s much smaller neighbor in February 2022, has not backed off maximalist demands that would see Ukraine blocked from integrating with the West and limit its ability to defend itself.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 27 Dec. 2025
Still, while the index has remained within 3% of its record high, that was eight weeks ago, and the benchmark backed off decisively from those peak readings in the past week.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 18 Dec. 2025
In Cincinnati's case, the developer and city backed off, ending the referendum.
—Carl Weiser, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Nov. 2025
However, after Monday night's 27-17 loss to the Cardinals, Jones backed off that comment, suggesting to reporters that no trade had been consummated just yet.
—Andrew McCarty, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Fearing for Sydney’s safety, police eventually backed off — allowing Johnson to slip away.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
But seeing Scherzer grow animated as Schneider approached, shortstop Andrés Giménez backed off.
—Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
Hegseth this week backed off that losing proposition and instead issued a censure for Kelly and started a process to demote him in retirement, which would reduce his pension.
—Chris Brennan, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who launched a full-scale invasion of Russia’s much smaller neighbor in February 2022, has not backed off maximalist demands that would see Ukraine blocked from integrating with the West and limit its ability to defend itself.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 27 Dec. 2025
Still, while the index has remained within 3% of its record high, that was eight weeks ago, and the benchmark backed off decisively from those peak readings in the past week.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 18 Dec. 2025
In Cincinnati's case, the developer and city backed off, ending the referendum.
—Carl Weiser, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Nov. 2025
However, after Monday night's 27-17 loss to the Cardinals, Jones backed off that comment, suggesting to reporters that no trade had been consummated just yet.
—Andrew McCarty, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Fearing for Sydney’s safety, police eventually backed off — allowing Johnson to slip away.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
But seeing Scherzer grow animated as Schneider approached, shortstop Andrés Giménez backed off.
—Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backed off
Verb
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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
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But contracts for the sale fell through and would-be buyers backed out.—
Steven Walker,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Twelves hooked up to a hydrant, and Alves grabbed a chainsaw off the rig to trim some of the trees along the houses as the fire backed down the hill toward them.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Israel was reluctant to agree to a UN mandate for the international force but backed down under US pressure, according to a senior Israeli official.—
Eugenia Yosef,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backed off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backed%20off. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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