1. A retraction of a previously held position
   "The company's backdown on the controversial policy was seen as a victory for consumers";
   - withdrawal, climb-down

1. Remove oneself from an obligation
   "He backed down when he heard how much work was involved";
   - chicken out [informal], back off, pull out, bow out
    
2. Move backwards from a certain position
   "The bully had to back down";
   - back up, back off

Derived forms: backdowns, backs down, backed down, backing down

See also: back

Type of: abjuration, draw back, move back, pull away, pull back, recantation, recede, retire, retraction, retreat, withdraw