BACKING DOWN Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

backing down

verb

present participle of back down

as in backing 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 backing down Since then, Hochman has been slammed for playing politics, embarrassing his office and even backing down for no reason other than the pressure was too intense. — Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026 Jelly Roll isn’t backing down from making jokes at the president’s expense, with the country star once again taking aim at Donald Trump‘s physique during his guest-hosting stint on Jimmy Kimmel Live! — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 27 Aug. 2026 Chicago Sky owner Michael Alter isn’t backing down after the WNBA team ejected former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom from Sunday’s game against the Indiana Fever. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 With neither side backing down, Cancian expects the conflict will drag on well past the midterm elections in November. — Steve Walsh, NPR, 24 Aug. 2026 Well, Mark Carney, Canada’s prime minister, is not backing down. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026 Washington’s air campaign against Iran has not seen Tehran backing down. — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026 The White House has dismissed these claims, but those who filed the lawsuit are not backing down. — Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 10 July 2026 In spite of the backlash, the Seattle committee showed no signs of backing down. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 26 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for backing down

Verb

After backing out those sectors, the economy would’ve added 70,000 jobs, in line with Wall Street’s consensus, instead of losing 23,000 jobs.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026
Sources said a different Big 12 team, TCU, was the initial target before backing out of what essentially is a home game for the Aztecs.

— Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2026

Definition of backing out

Verb

The stock saw a record high close in June before backing off.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026
Michigan gas prices have been hovering above the national average; even with the state backing off from the usual expensive summer blend fuel requirement for Metro Detroit this summer.

— Paula Wethington, CBS News, 13 July 2026

Definition of backing off

Browse Nearby Words

backing away

backing down

backing off

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“Backing down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backing%20down. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of backing down

verb

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