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
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 back off
While in office, Reagan worked to roll back affirmative action but ultimately backed off under pressure from major corporations and politicians in both parties.
—
Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025
The new dock also enables 2.5-hour fast charging so that the 10R can top itself back off and keep cleaning.
—Anthony Karcz, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
There’s no Republican policy to address inflation, and indeed, the pressure is on the Federal Reserve to back off its monetary policy, which has reduced inflation from double digits to less than 3%.
—Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2025
Democrats will bring forward legislation to lower costs if Trump doesn't back off the rest of his harmful trade war.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for back off 
Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025
The new dock also enables 2.5-hour fast charging so that the 10R can top itself back off and keep cleaning.
—Anthony Karcz, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
There’s no Republican policy to address inflation, and indeed, the pressure is on the Federal Reserve to back off its monetary policy, which has reduced inflation from double digits to less than 3%.
—Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2025
Democrats will bring forward legislation to lower costs if Trump doesn't back off the rest of his harmful trade war.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for back off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back off
Verb
-
Cam Newton, who spent the majority of his 11-year NFL career with the Carolina Panthers, is not backing down from his recent criticism of his former teammates.—
Chantz Martin,
Fox News,
16 Feb. 2025
-
The two battle it out, and after losing one of his wings, Wilson attempts to appeal to Red Hulk's humanity — in a classic Captain America moment — in order to bring him back down to the life-size Ross.—
Rebecca Aizin,
People.com,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Hoffman’s cruiser struck the driver side door of the Mercedes before Bell tried backing out.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
3 Feb. 2025
-
Don't think this is the time to leave your plants back out on the porch.—
Remington Miller,
arkansasonline.com,
3 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
About 20 minutes later, the two cops out in front were joined by a third officer.—
Melody Chiu,
People.com,
7 Jan. 2025
-
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
Articles Related to back off
Thesaurus Entries Near back off
Cite this Entry
“Back off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20off. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share