as in backed off
to break a promise or agreement
she backed out on her offer to help with the wedding planning
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Recent Examples of backed out
The night began with boisterous boos during the pregame introduction of a player who backed out on a deal to return to the Bears for his sophomore season.
—
Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
In Oklahoma City, after several protests and a packed city council meeting, a company that had planned to sell its warehouse to ICE backed out of the deal – a move cheered by Republican Mayor David Holt.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
Some buyers have also backed out of sales.
—Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
Beck also backed out of the draft to transfer to the Hurricanes.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2026
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
But contracts for the sale fell through and would-be buyers backed out.
—Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
She got accepted for one, but then the sellers backed out.
—Celia Fernandez, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2025
The president formerly backed out of a planned interview with Scott Pelley in October ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
—Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 31 Oct. 2025
Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
In Oklahoma City, after several protests and a packed city council meeting, a company that had planned to sell its warehouse to ICE backed out of the deal – a move cheered by Republican Mayor David Holt.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
Some buyers have also backed out of sales.
—Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
Beck also backed out of the draft to transfer to the Hurricanes.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2026
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
But contracts for the sale fell through and would-be buyers backed out.
—Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
She got accepted for one, but then the sellers backed out.
—Celia Fernandez, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2025
The president formerly backed out of a planned interview with Scott Pelley in October ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
—Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 31 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backed out
Verb
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The Boston Celtics also retreated with their interest, while the Timberwolves, after showing a willingness to offer two second-round picks for Ellis, backed off as their Giannis Antetokounmpo pursuit ramped up and became the priority.—
Sam Amick,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
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But the president backed off after appeals from San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and tech executives, including Marc Benioff, the Salesforce CEO whose family name is attached to the Oakland children’s hospital.—
Julia Prodis Sulek,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Google appears to have backed down in its AI dispute with Disney.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
9 Feb. 2026
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The administration has eased its tone and admitted mistakes in its immigration enforcement campaign since Pretti’s killing, but hasn’t backed down completely or paused operations in Minneapolis, as critics demanded.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backed out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backed%20out. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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