back off

verb

backed off; backing off; backs off

Examples of back off in a Sentence

you'd better not back off on your promise to do all the planning for the big dance
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There’s no Republican policy to address inflation, and indeed, the pressure is on the Federal Reserve to back off its monetary policy, which has reduced inflation from double digits to less than 3%. Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2025 Democrats will bring forward legislation to lower costs if Trump doesn't back off the rest of his harmful trade war. David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025 Meanwhile, Costco has refused to back off of its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts, which have become a focus of Trump’s attacks in the early days of the new term. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2025 Young said Chanel approached the other dog, whose owner told them to back off. Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for back off 

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of back off was in 1920

Dictionary Entries Near back off

Cite this Entry

“Back off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/back%20off. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

back off

verb

More from Merriam-Webster on back off

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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