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
The 5-foot-11 receiver committed to UM in 2023 but backed off the pledge on Oct. 3, 2024.
—
Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2025
The second week My usual redness around my cheeks had started to fade, and the annoying pimple that had been brewing on my cheek seemed to back off without its usual dramatic entrance.
—Larry Stansbury, Essence, 7 Mar. 2025
On Monday, Lamont told reporters that Fonfara would need further vetting but did not back off his plans to nominate the lawmaker.
—Andrew Brown, Hartford Courant, 6 Mar. 2025
Prosecutor backs off from case over remarks about justices
Interim D.C.
—Spencer S. Hsu The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back off
Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2025
The second week My usual redness around my cheeks had started to fade, and the annoying pimple that had been brewing on my cheek seemed to back off without its usual dramatic entrance.
—Larry Stansbury, Essence, 7 Mar. 2025
On Monday, Lamont told reporters that Fonfara would need further vetting but did not back off his plans to nominate the lawmaker.
—Andrew Brown, Hartford Courant, 6 Mar. 2025
Prosecutor backs off from case over remarks about justices
Interim D.C.
—Spencer S. Hsu The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back off
Verb
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Swalwell draws parallels between his father’s principled stand against corruption as a police chief and his own refusal to back down, framing resistance as a moral imperative learned from his upbringing[1][3].—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2025
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The European Commission is not backing down from efforts to rein in Big Tech.—
Ryan Whitwam,
Ars Technica,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In addition to ending several college deals and its on-field NFL pact, Under Armour backed out of an agreement to outfit MLB and paid a penalty.—
Kurt Badenhausen,
Sportico.com,
25 Mar. 2025
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Payton and Brady, once Plan A for the Dolphins, backed out of coming and hiring Mike McDaniel became Plan B. The NFL investigated Flores’ allegation that Ross offered money to lose games.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
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About 20 minutes later, the two cops out in front were joined by a third officer.—
Melody Chiu,
People.com,
7 Jan. 2025
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The judges avoid giving critiques to the girls this week but do talk among one another, which is kind of weird but also means that nobody gets to cop out of Rate-a-Queen and just imitate the judges.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
3 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Back off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20off. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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