as in to back out
to break a promise or agreement
if you back down about dinner again, I'm not going to agree to another date
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of back down
The price on Friday hit a new high of $14.22 and sellers took it back down for a close of $13.89.
—
John Navin, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
Trump on Tuesday threatened to double a forthcoming tariff on Canada and backed down hours later when Ontario paused an export surcharge on electricity.
—Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2025
Inflation risks After rising to a 9 percent annual increase in the aftermath of the pandemic, inflation sank nearly all the way back down to the Federal Reserve’s target rate of 2 percent by the middle of last year.
—Tobias Burns, The Hill, 13 Mar. 2025
Once the foot is under the ball and has left the ground, a subtle flick of the ankle sends it forward to create the dipping motion that will bring it back down quickly.
—Jordan Campbell, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back down
John Navin, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
Trump on Tuesday threatened to double a forthcoming tariff on Canada and backed down hours later when Ontario paused an export surcharge on electricity.
—Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2025
Inflation risks After rising to a 9 percent annual increase in the aftermath of the pandemic, inflation sank nearly all the way back down to the Federal Reserve’s target rate of 2 percent by the middle of last year.
—Tobias Burns, The Hill, 13 Mar. 2025
Once the foot is under the ball and has left the ground, a subtle flick of the ankle sends it forward to create the dipping motion that will bring it back down quickly.
—Jordan Campbell, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back down
Verb
-
Extend arms and legs back out to the starting position.—
Sohaib Imtiaz,
Verywell Health,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Feel the mossy, sometimes humid air, and the sea breeze swept from the Beaufort bay. Shop and stroll After a slow breakfast at the inn, head back out for some sightseeing on foot.—
Kayleigh Ruller,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
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There has never been reason to think, and there certainly is no reason to think now, that appeasing Putin is going to lead to him backing off from these grander schemes.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
15 Mar. 2025
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Creighton rebounded a UConn miss with about 7 seconds left and a 7-point lead, and the Huskies backed off, allowing the Bluejays to dribble out the clock.—
Ralph D. Russo,
The Athletic,
15 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
Verb
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These goals do not include muddying the waters by recalling reinforcements and putting them in difficult ice.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
The Athletic,
18 Mar. 2025
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Moving forward, recalling facts and making predictions will be less valuable.—
Spencer Dorn,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Back down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20down. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.
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