Synonyms of backing off

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

• backing out
• backing down
• copping out
• going back on
• finking out
• recalling
• withdrawing
• wimping out
• chickening (out)
• reneging
• taking back
• retracting
• begging off
• crying off
• backpedaling
• backtracking
• unsaying
• recanting
• forswearing
• abjuring
• disavowing
• abnegating
• repudiating

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• adhering (to)
• complying (with)
• following through (with)
• keeping
• fulfilling
• satisfying
• honoring

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of backing off

Michigan gas prices have been hovering above the national average; even with the state backing off from the usual expensive summer blend fuel requirement for Metro Detroit this summer. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 13 July 2026

Don’t even think about backing off to change gear or grabbing some clutch. — New Atlas, 13 July 2026

Campbell committed to the Hurricanes more than two years before ultimately signing, never backing off his commitment. — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2026

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