as in backing 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 backing out
Lost my respect by backing out.
—
Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
In America, a property owner backing out of a location agreement can lead to legal action and is rare.
—Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 8 Jan. 2026
After backing out of Monday's Dawson's Creek cast reunion in New York City due to illness, James Van Der Beek still made a surprise appearance at the event in a sweet video message for attendees and his fellow cast members.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Sep. 2025
This could either result in investors backing out of purchasing the debt, or demanding higher interest payments to offset the risk.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2025
Early decision is not a legal contract, but there can be serious consequences from backing out of acceptance.
—Mary Frances Ruskell, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
When backing out the federal business, the rest of world security order growth increased by double digits in the fourth quarter.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2025
Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
In America, a property owner backing out of a location agreement can lead to legal action and is rare.
—Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 8 Jan. 2026
After backing out of Monday's Dawson's Creek cast reunion in New York City due to illness, James Van Der Beek still made a surprise appearance at the event in a sweet video message for attendees and his fellow cast members.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Sep. 2025
This could either result in investors backing out of purchasing the debt, or demanding higher interest payments to offset the risk.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2025
Early decision is not a legal contract, but there can be serious consequences from backing out of acceptance.
—Mary Frances Ruskell, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
When backing out the federal business, the rest of world security order growth increased by double digits in the fourth quarter.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backing out
Verb
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Since then, the White House has been negotiating with its trading partners, backing off on some of the more aggressive charges while maintaining tough talk on issues.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2026
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That scream likely scared off the man who showed no signs of backing off.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Negotiators are showing few signs of backing down from their demands, and there’s little holding back talks from dragging on for the foreseeable future.—
Al Weaver,
The Hill,
17 Feb. 2026
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But some fashion firms also don’t plan on backing down from their diversity efforts.—
Vicki M. Young,
Footwear News,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backing out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backing%20out. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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