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
Trump never backs down from these rules, ever.
—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
26 June 2026
Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, briefly held onto the title of being the world’s first and only trillionaire before his net worth was deflated back down to a more modest nine-figure amount.
—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
24 June 2026
Senior Assistant Construction Manager John Myler said that the plan for the test run is to lift the bridge up, move it a foot, bring it back, and set it back down so that crews can verify that everything is working functionally.
—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
Lower it back down with control.
—
Rikkilynn Shields Hannigan,
Health,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for back down
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
26 June 2026
Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, briefly held onto the title of being the world’s first and only trillionaire before his net worth was deflated back down to a more modest nine-figure amount.
—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
24 June 2026
Senior Assistant Construction Manager John Myler said that the plan for the test run is to lift the bridge up, move it a foot, bring it back, and set it back down so that crews can verify that everything is working functionally.
—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
Lower it back down with control.
—
Rikkilynn Shields Hannigan,
Health,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for back down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back down
Verb
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In May, a slew of musicians who were slated to perform at Freedom 250's 16-day state fair event backed out, with some citing politics.
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The actor was a replacement after Madonna backed out, leaving the proto-rave tune one of the era’s most unlikely collaborations.
Verb
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Uzbekistan went close to an equaliser before Jaminton Campaz scored in stoppage time, immediately followed by a shot at the other end that thundered back off the crossbar.
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When the Ku Klux Klan burned crosses on the lawn of other beach neighbors, the only Jewish family in town, my dad tracked down the local Klan leader and told him to back off, or else.
Verb
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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.
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The case, which has only recently come to the attention of POST officials, highlights the limits of state oversight even after lawmakers passed significant police reform aimed at forcing dishonest cops out of the profession.
Verb
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Plans for fireworks were still moving forward in other cities including Chicago and New York, where tall ships passed the Statue of Liberty earlier in the day, recalling the fanfare around America’s 200th anniversary in 1976.
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Pulisic recalled arriving at Pochettino’s temporary office for a meeting and hearing a country song.
Cite this Entry
“Back down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20down. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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