as in backing out
to break a promise or agreement
if you back down about dinner again, I'm not going to agree to another date
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 backing down
In spite of the backlash, the Seattle committee showed no signs of backing down.
—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
26 June 2026
Leo wants applause, Taurus wants consistency and neither is particularly fond of backing down.
—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
23 June 2026
Moore's campaign is not backing down and continues to air the commercials on Fox News and Facebook.
—
Mike Hellgren,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
His critics by now should have realized Aguirre, the survivor, the dreamer, the savior, the fighter, isn’t about to start backing down.
—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
Several families have filed lawsuits against the Eastlands, who for months forged ahead with plans to reopen before ultimately backing down.
—
Jim Vertuno,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2026
But Healey is not backing down from DeMore’s nomination ahead of the Governor’s Council vote this Wednesday.
—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
19 May 2026
And today, the Cuban government is surging hundreds of thousands of people right past its front door with a clear message -- the Cuban government is not backing down.
—
ABC News,
3 May 2026
When Mamdani’s predecessor Eric Adams proposed simply letting schools’ funding shrink along with enrollment, he was sued, protested against, and, eventually, bullied into backing down.
—
Marc Novicoff,
The Atlantic,
28 Apr. 2026
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
26 June 2026
Leo wants applause, Taurus wants consistency and neither is particularly fond of backing down.
—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
23 June 2026
Moore's campaign is not backing down and continues to air the commercials on Fox News and Facebook.
—
Mike Hellgren,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
His critics by now should have realized Aguirre, the survivor, the dreamer, the savior, the fighter, isn’t about to start backing down.
—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
Several families have filed lawsuits against the Eastlands, who for months forged ahead with plans to reopen before ultimately backing down.
—
Jim Vertuno,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2026
But Healey is not backing down from DeMore’s nomination ahead of the Governor’s Council vote this Wednesday.
—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
19 May 2026
And today, the Cuban government is surging hundreds of thousands of people right past its front door with a clear message -- the Cuban government is not backing down.
—
ABC News,
3 May 2026
When Mamdani’s predecessor Eric Adams proposed simply letting schools’ funding shrink along with enrollment, he was sued, protested against, and, eventually, bullied into backing down.
—
Marc Novicoff,
The Atlantic,
28 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backing down
Verb
-
Sources said a different Big 12 team, TCU, was the initial target before backing out of what essentially is a home game for the Aztecs.
-
Hazel was chasing a stream of water down the street while her father was pressure washing their driveway outside when she was hit by a car backing out of a nearby driveway, her parents told KPCQ.
Verb
-
Campbell committed to the Hurricanes more than two years before ultimately signing, never backing off his commitment.
-
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told lawmakers last week that the DOJ would be backing off of the fund, amid bipartisan opposition to the idea.
Cite this Entry
“Backing down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backing%20down. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
