backdown

American

[bak-doun] / ˈbækˌdaʊn /

noun

a withdrawal from a previously held position, especially in the face of superior power or upon further consideration.

Etymology

Origin of backdown

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65; noun use of verb phrase back down

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.

Even so, China has warned Japan to backdown.

From Reuters • Jul. 24, 2023

In its backdown, the government was also forced to refund over A$700m of payments to victims.

From BBC • Jul. 7, 2023

The government offer amounted to a backdown by New Zealand after officials had earlier insisted that Charlotte Bellis needed to reapply for a spot in the country’s bottlenecked quarantine hotels.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 31, 2022

Gay was wincing after stumbling when a defender backed away from him on a backdown, but did not go to the locker room.

From Washington Times • Oct. 17, 2018

I looked backdown at my packet of supplemental materials.

From Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023