BACK DOWN Synonyms: 32 Similar and Opposite Words

back down

verb

Definition of back down

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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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 down President Reagan showed us that projecting strength can force an adversary to back down. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026 For Moscow, though, the deals, the incentives, and even the shared disdain for Kyiv are not seen as a cue to play ball and back down, but as a sign that its US strategy is yielding results. — Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026 The Florida Democratic Party also claimed a win, saying Republicans backed down and withdrew their lawsuit. — Justin Garcia, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026 Former president Jair Bolsonaro — Flávio Bolsonaro’s father — signed a 2020 decree that opened a path toward privatizing parts of it before immediately backing down amid a wave of criticism. — Terrence McCoy, Washington Post, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for back down

Recent Examples of Synonyms for back down

Verb

Also, the Valkyries are a team that brought somebody back out of retirement.

— Sooji Nam, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
But after the Halfway 2 Jesus tracklist was revealed, Eminem reached back out to Rock with a change of heart.

— Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of back out

Verb

The first time, her 6-year-old child was close to harming our infant daughter, and my husband asked him to back off — not unkindly, and only after giving the neighbor a chance to intercede first.

— Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
The idea isn’t to wall the kitchen back off but to declutter it, giving everyday clutter a place to disappear so the room looks calmer and more polished.

— Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of back off

Verb

Strategic shakeup Usually buying and selling is a cop out, but with where the Red Sox are in their competitive cycle the approach might make some sense.

— Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026
The case highlighted limits in Colorado's police oversight despite significant recent reforms aimed at forcing dishonest cops out of the profession.

— Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 22 May 2026

Definition of cop out

Verb

Now owned by the state of Bavaria, the ⁠Kehlsteinhaus was classified after the war as a historical monument recalling the Nazi period.

— Reuters, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2026
Everyone was chatting and enjoying the beautiful weather, Spiro, a 36-year-old rabbi at Hill Havurah congregation in Washington, recalled.

— Liam Scott, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of recall

Browse Nearby Words

backcountry

back down

backdrop

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“Back down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20down. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of back down

verb

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