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

After the last time the pair met, Trump noticeably backed off his comments about how Canada—of which Charles is head of state—should be America’s 51st state.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 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

I would of backed off from what I saw, but by then we was crowded up against the rail.

From "Life Is So Good" by George Dawson