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
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
The captain backed off, but Curry never forgot the look in his eyes, or the venom in his voice.
—
Clint Smith,
The Atlantic,
9 June 2026
The driver cut through busy intersections even though officers backed off ground units.
—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
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
The captain backed off, but Curry never forgot the look in his eyes, or the venom in his voice.
—
Clint Smith,
The Atlantic,
9 June 2026
The driver cut through busy intersections even though officers backed off ground units.
—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backed off
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.
Verb
-
Three people had apparently been killed, but the men behind the coup had backed down and Gorbachev was being released.
-
The conflict threatened to explode again on Monday, when Iran and Israel fired missiles at each other before both sides backed down.
Cite this Entry
“Backed off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backed%20off. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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