as in backing off
to break a promise or agreement
she backed out on her offer to help with the wedding planning
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 out
Investigators say Horner accidentally struck the child with his delivery truck while backing out of the driveway.
—
Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
The Florida and Texas metros with the highest share of stale listings are all solid buyer’s markets, where buyers have the upper hand over sellers and can negotiate lower prices as well as backing out of unfavorable deals.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Buyers are also increasingly backing out of deals, rather than settling for homes that may not be the perfect fit.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
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
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
Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
The Florida and Texas metros with the highest share of stale listings are all solid buyer’s markets, where buyers have the upper hand over sellers and can negotiate lower prices as well as backing out of unfavorable deals.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Buyers are also increasingly backing out of deals, rather than settling for homes that may not be the perfect fit.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
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
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
-
Meadows tried slowing up and backing off at the last second.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Meadows tried slowing up and backing off at the last second.—
Dave Campbell,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Senators aren’t backing down in the face of playing Carolina, seeking to build off losing to Toronto in six games in the first round last year.—
John Wawrow,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Trump has pushed back on the notion of backing down, framing his brinkmanship as a savvy negotiating tactic.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backing out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backing%20out. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
