back down

VERB

back off

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abandon admit back off back out backtrack balk cancel cave in concede give in give up pull back pull out renege retreat surrender take back withdraw

WEAK

accede acquiesce back pedal beg off bow out chicken out cop out demur give ground go back on have no fight left hold back recant recoil resign submit wimp out withdraw from agreement or statement yield

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advance allow dispute dissent fight permit refuse reject uphold

WEAK

go forward

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.

When he’s done speaking, Paul looks back down at the table, grinds his palms together.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026

Fox News reported President Donald Trump was urging both sides to back down.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 7, 2026

The Fed grew it during emergencies and never fully brought it back down, partly because of new banking regulations and the growth of the Treasury’s account at the Fed.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

The question is whether it’s a pause or a more sustained fall back down to Earth.

From Barron's • May 19, 2026

‘You’d nearly reached the surface,’ said Renn, pressing what felt like cobwebs to his forehead, ‘then you turned round and swam, deliberately swam, back down again!’

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

back down

Example Sentences

Related Words