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.

Right now, with all the discussion about the new rules, and the more entertaining racing this year, this particular topic is on the back burner.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

But Epstein talk has definitely been on the back burner in recent weeks, with the war in Iran especially taking precedence.

From Slate • Apr. 10, 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

I also have a couple songs on the back burner that didn’t make the album that I really really still want to put out.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

Another oddity was my discovery, one afternoon, of a large copper pot bubbling on the back burner of the stove, a peculiar smell emanating from it.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt