Definitions

back burner

NOUN

reduced priority

Synonyms

WEAK

abeyance cold storage limbo suspension

Antonyms

WEAK

front burner

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Those who were thinking about the parties' green policies said they feared climate change had been "put on the back burner".

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

Investors, soothed by a lowering of tensions between the U.S. and China, have put trade worries on the back burner.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

Raj: Our personal lives were completely on the back burner for three years before this year.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 9, 2025

The Dayforce study comes as Americans grapple with higher housing, healthcare, transportation and childcare costs — all immediate needs that can push retirement savings to the back burner.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 25, 2025

“The captain of my fast-pitch softball team did not just imply that our first section tournament game is something she put on the back burner of her brain. She didn’t. I know she didn’t....”

From "Fast Pitch" by Nic Stone