BACKED DOWN Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

backed down

verb

past tense of back down

as in backed off

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 backed down Worried about the potential fine — which, Dantona noted, the city worker had been polite about explaining — the homeowner backed down and asked Brodeur to cut back the grass. — Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Raq was fly, never backed down, and didn't rat when her back was against the wall, all in the midst of trying to protect her son Kanan (Mekai Curtis), who is determined to build his own empire outside of his family. — Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026 But the Academy eventually backed down from that idea after the WGA and DGA took issue with the Emmy proposals; the Academy’s director and writer peer groups drafted a compromise. — Michael Schneider, Variety, 17 July 2026 Blanche backed down and said the Justice Department would not implement the fund. — Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026 Three people had apparently been killed, but the men behind the coup had backed down and Gorbachev was being released. — Literary Hub, 22 June 2026 The conflict threatened to explode again on Monday, when Iran and Israel fired missiles at each other before both sides backed down. — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 8 June 2026 Wednesday, a white van backed down the driveway. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026 Turner eventually backed down, deciding the colorization process was not cost-efficient. — Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 6 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for backed down

Verb

The Los Angeles district attorney has backed off felony charges against a police officer who secretly recorded his colleagues making racist remarks after facing criticism the response was too harsh and could deter whistleblowers from coming forward.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Cunningham has not backed off her stance despite the criticism.

— S.E. Jenkins, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of backed off

Verb

She was briefly considered to be a Taiwan People's Party legislator candidate, but had backed out owing to questions about her loyalty and affiliation with China.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
The Porter Town Council granted Weiss a Planned Unit Development (PUD) agreement for the property, but the developer backed out.

— Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of backed out

Browse Nearby Words

backed away

backed down

backed off

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“Backed down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backed%20down. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of backed down

verb

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