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Definitions

beg off

VERB
back down
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 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
VERB
back out
Synonyms
STRONGEST
back down cancel give up renege surrender
WEAK
avoid back pedal blow it off chicken out cop out get cold feet go back on recant resign scratch shy from throw in the towel weasel out wiggle out worm out
VERB
chicken out
Synonyms
WEAK
avoid back down back out back pedal blow it off bow out cancel cop out funk out get cold feet give up give way go back on have no stomach for make concessions pull out recant renege resign scratch shy from surrender throw in the towel turn yellow weasel out wiggle out wimp out withdraw worm out yield
VERB
refuse
Synonyms
STRONGEST
decline ignore protest rebuff reject turn down withdraw withhold
STRONG
demur desist disaccord disallow disapprove dissent dodge evade nix regret repel reprobate repudiate shun spurn
WEAK
brush off dispense with give thumbs down to hold back hold off hold out make excuses not budge not budget not buy not care to pass up refuse to receive send off send regrets set aside turn away turn deaf ear to turn from turn one's back on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
accept allow approve
STRONG
agree consent endorse face meet sanction
WEAK
OK grant offer

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.

So I think we shouldn't beg off the responsibility to understand it.

From Salon • Sep. 10, 2024

McCann, then 30, told them he needed to beg off.

From Science Magazine • Nov. 21, 2023

Just make enough plans for it not to feel weird — and actually show up for them, too, through the temptation to beg off and stay home instead.

From Washington Post • Mar. 16, 2022

I had the beginnings of a sore throat and used that as an excuse to beg off.

From Slate • Jun. 16, 2021

If errors are made, I can always beg off with a headache.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.