as in to back down
to break a promise or agreement
you'd better not back off on your promise to do all the planning for the big dance
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of back off
During Green Bay’s OTAs last month, Nixon backed off that statement — somewhat.
—
Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
But when the administration later backed off, markets rebounded.
—CNBC, 9 July 2025
The second letter, which essentially backed off their push to expedite his sentencing, shifted the sentencing hearing back to its original date and said the probation office did not object to that schedule.
—Lauren Del Valle, CNN Money, 8 July 2025
And instead of trying again, your manager backed off.
—Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for back off
Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
But when the administration later backed off, markets rebounded.
—CNBC, 9 July 2025
The second letter, which essentially backed off their push to expedite his sentencing, shifted the sentencing hearing back to its original date and said the probation office did not object to that schedule.
—Lauren Del Valle, CNN Money, 8 July 2025
And instead of trying again, your manager backed off.
—Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for back off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back off
Verb
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Jones was part of a generation of Yavapai people who refused to back down when the federal government came for their 24,000-acre reservation in the 1970s and for their slot machines in the early 1990s.—
Debra Utacia Krol,
AZCentral.com,
24 July 2025
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In the summer, visitors can choose from an ice-cold mountain water dip or a slow drift on their backs down the large stream with stunning views of the historical inner city.—
Lea Dlugosch,
Travel + Leisure,
22 July 2025
Verb
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Add in numbness, tingling or pounding headaches, and suddenly checking your phone, sleeping comfortably or backing out of a parking spot becomes a real challenge.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
26 July 2025
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Despite Lionel Messi backing out of the 2025 MLS All-Star Game, the league’s best defeated the Liga MX All-Stars 3-1 on Wednesday night at Q2 Stadium, home of Major League Soccer’s Austin FC.—
Mark J. Burns,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
Verb
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But with that brief wave of hope came new footage on Twitter every night of the NYPD acting like bad cops out of a Harvey Keitel flick: cops harassing peaceful crowds, cops kettling activists, cops literally driving a car into a crowd of protestors.—
Maris Kreizman,
Rolling Stone,
24 June 2025
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The relative lack of substance across the board can’t help feeling like a cop out for a show that’s been capable of a lot more.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
14 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Back off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20off. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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