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.
Trump quickly backed off the reciprocal plan amid a market rout and mounting criticism. Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 8 May 2025 That direct encouragement accelerated an equity market rally which began as the president showed further inclination to back off of his most aggressive trade war plans and brandished a new trade deal with the U.K., the first such agreement of his second term. Derek Saul, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025 Trump and his allies have flirted with the idea of the president unconstitutionally running for a third term next general election cycle, but Trump himself backed off that idea in a Sunday interview with NBC News. Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 7 May 2025 Instead of backing off, corporations are evolving their diversity programs to focus on what works and jettison what does not, said Joelle Emerson, CEO of culture and inclusion platform Paradigm. Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 2 May 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Back off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/back%20off. Accessed 19 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

back off

verb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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