back down

verb

backed down; backing down; backs down

intransitive verb

: to withdraw from a commitment or position

Examples of back down in a Sentence

if you back down about dinner again, I'm not going to agree to another date
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.
While that escalated into an all out trade war with China in 2019, by 2020 Trump backed down and signed a trade agreement. Sergei Klebnikov, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025 But the veteran has never backed down from anyone or any challenge during his coaching career. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025 Unlike Canada and Mexico, China was unable to convince Trump to back down from his threats, so the U.S. levied 10% tariffs on all imports from the country. William Gavin, Quartz, 27 Feb. 2025 In Tennessee, the state comptroller backed down from taking over the majority-Black city of Mason after local officials agreed that a certified public accounting or law firm would help the town complete audits, balance its budget and train officials on proper use of tax revenue. Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for back down

Word History

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of back down was in 1849

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Back down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/back%20down. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

back down

verb
: to retreat from a stand one has taken or from a challenge one has accepted

More from Merriam-Webster on back down

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!