backed off

VERB

retreat

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abandon back down balk give up surrender withdraw

WEAK

recede retire yield

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.

But after hitting a record in January, bullion prices backed off.

From MarketWatch • May 8, 2026

There was no-one else around to help, and Asadian said he backed off before seeing the attacker walk into the greengrocer's next to the bus stop, as if he was a "normal shopper".

From BBC • May 3, 2026

Northrop essentially backed off its 2028 free cash flow goal of $4 billion amid higher investment spending.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

He backed off after a somewhat conciliatory phone call with Lurie, in which Trump said the mayor asked him “very nicely” to call off the deployment.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

My father put his hand on my shoulder, whispered something, and backed off.

From "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien