Synonyms of backs off

backs off

verb

present tense third-person singular of back off

as in backs 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

• backs out
• backs down
• cops out
• recalls
• chickens (out)
• withdraws
• finks out
• goes back on
• reneges
• retracts
• takes back
• wimps out
• unsays
• begs off
• abnegates
• backpedals
• cries off
• backtracks
• forswears
• recants
• abjures
• disavows
• repudiates

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• adheres (to)
• follows through (with)
• complies (with)
• keeps
• fulfills
• satisfies
• honors

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of backs off

If the city backs off the video gambling rollout, Bally’s will once again ramp up construction at an accelerated pace on the full entertainment complex, sources said. — Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026

And, Michelle, as Donna just pointed out, Jeanine Pirro says no to the president, backs off the charges, immediately gets attacked by both Doug Burgum and the president. — ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026

Trump backs off latest threat of new strikes on Iran, saying regional mediation produced outlines of a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and halt the five-month war. — Aamer Madhani, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026

But that’s only when Tom Holland backs off. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 16 June 2026

Even when The Breadwinner starts to tiptoe toward potential reactionary ideas about who belongs in the workplace and who belongs at home, the movie backs off and makes sure that no leaves the theater riled up. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2026

In most cases, the animal figures out something isn’t right and backs off. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026

McCoy dunked hard at the rim off the dribble, from a lob and even got a couple put-backs off his own misses. — Justin Vigil Zuniga, Daily News, 25 Jan. 2026