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
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
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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Malik’s boss is not happy that Malik doesn’t have a grip on the Crane brothers, though Malik assures him that Amos frightened Sarah into backing off — and that Dinah is tucked away at a safe house.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
29 Oct. 2025
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Benioff clarified his National Guard comments in subsequent days leading up to Dreamforce, without backing off his long-running concerns over public safety.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Democrats are doubling down that Republicans are the ones to blame for federal workers’ pain, arguing that backing down and voting for the GOP continuing resolution will likely come back to haunt them.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
29 Oct. 2025
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The Corporation for Public Broadcasting is not backing down in its fight against National Public Radio.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backing out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backing%20out. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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