Back off
Back off verb - To break a promise or agreement.
Usage example: you'd better not back off on your promise to do all the planning for the big dance
Retract
Retract verb - To solemnly or formally reject or go back on (as something formerly adhered to).
Usage example: the newspaper was forced to retract the story, which turned out to be based on fabricated reporting
Back off and retract are semantically related in renege on topic. Sometimes you can use "Back off" instead a verb "Retract".
Mutual synonyms
Related pairs
Cite this Source
Retract and Back off. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 12, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/back_off/retract
Back off & Retract. N.p., 2016. Web. 12 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/back_off/retract>.
Retract or Back off. 2016. Accessed August 12, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/back_off/retract.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "back off" and "retract" have occurred on timeline