BACKING OFF Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

backing off

verb

present participle of back off

as in backing 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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 off 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. —

Ted Johnson, Deadline, 7 June 2026 But ongoing discussions Friday suggested federal officials may be backing off some of the stricter monitoring proposals. —

Arkansas Online, 31 May 2026 These and other moves might suggest San Diego is backing off its years-long effort to encourage more housing development with hopes that boosting supply will help moderate sky-high prices. —

Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2026 This began with the system changes agreed upon before the Miami Grand Prix to reduce drivers backing off to boost energy harvesting (when the car’s electrical systems recover power under braking and store it in the battery) and to reduce dangerous closing speeds between cars. —

Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 14 May 2026 His message was mostly aimed at critics on the right who say the administration is backing off. —

Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026 But even speaking to a friendly interviewer, Kerr sounds like a guy backing off. —

Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026 Instead of backing off of their support for the proposal, its Republican supporters are digging in — a sign of how intractable the fight over immigration policy is, even among Trump-supporting Republicans. —

Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 22 Apr. 2026 Meadows tried slowing up and backing off at the last second. —

CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for backing off

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.

— Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2026
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.

— Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026