back off

verb

backed off; backing off; backs off

Examples of back off in a Sentence

you'd better not back off on your promise to do all the planning for the big dance
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
At Arizona State's Peach Bowl media day on Monday, Leavitt didn't back off from those comments. Danny Davis, Austin American-Statesman, 31 Dec. 2024 Obama ultimately backed off on his threats to bomb Syria and cut a deal with Russia to destroy the Assad regime's chemical weapons stockpiles. Barak Ravid, Axios, 9 Dec. 2024 Walmart is just one of many companies that are controversially backing off on DEI initiatives in the wake of conservative backlash. Justin Klawans, The Week Us, theweek, 3 Dec. 2024 Eventually, some Democrats had to back off from their previous positions supporting it. Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for back off 

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of back off was in 1920

Dictionary Entries Near back off

Cite this Entry

“Back off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/back%20off. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

back off

verb

More from Merriam-Webster on back off

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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