BACKS OUT Synonyms: 32 Similar and Opposite Words

backs out

verb

present tense third-person singular of back out

as in backs off

to break a promise or agreement she backed out on her offer to help with the wedding planning

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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 backs out Beyond that, a truce means whatever the negotiators will tolerate as long as none backs out of talks. — ABC News, 1 July 2026 Last year’s class reimagined how successful Notre Dame could be at acquiring top defensive backs out of high school, but this one might be Freeman’s favorite, based on its composition. — Pete Sampson, New York Times, 1 July 2026 Ronit Yudkevitch stars as Yehudit, a sheltered farmer’s wife who backs out of a suicide pact that leaves her husband dead. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 1 June 2026 So there are a lot of necklines and backs out. — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 12 May 2026 Early in the film, Perry sits behind the wheel of her car, adjusts the rearview mirror and backs out of the garage. — Pamela Chelin, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026 Italy is underwhelmed at the prospect of being named to the World Cup if Iran backs out. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 23 Apr. 2026 Martinez was an eighth round pick by the D-backs out of Arizona State in 2025. — David Brandt, Denver Post, 13 Jan. 2026 Martinez was an eighth-round pick by the D-backs out of Arizona State in 2025. — Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for backs out

Verb

And, Michelle, as Donna just pointed out, Jeanine Pirro says no to the president, backs off the charges, immediately gets attacked by both Doug Burgum and the president.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
But that’s only when Tom Holland backs off.

— Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 16 June 2026

Definition of backs off

Verb

News to Know FIFA backs down Private investors will not be offered a stake in future World Cups, after all.

— Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
That perception risks fueling a cycle in which Iran escalates to impose greater costs, while neither side backs down for fear of losing credibility.

— Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 29 July 2026

Definition of backs down

Verb

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.

— Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 8 May 2026
Rather than throwing those bad cops out of the union and asking for better training so cops will never have to ask what to do when a fellow cop appears to have broken the law, Hendry encourages them.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2026

Definition of cops out

Browse Nearby Words

backs off

backs out

backstab

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“Backs out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backs%20out. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of backs out

verb

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