backdowns

Surrenders after confrontation

Backdowns is the plural of backdown, a noun for an instance of retreating from a position or commitment.

The word carries connotations of weakness or capitulation: After several public backdowns, the administration lost credibility.

More common in Australian and British English than American, where "backing down" typically remains verbal.

negotiation

concessions

Things granted or yielded

compromisesSettlements through mutual concession
capitulationsActs of giving in
retreatsBacks off or sanctuaries

retractions · modifications · adjustments · climb-downs · surrenders · softening · relenting · amendments · revisions · trade-offs

confrontational

retreat

Sanctuary or withdrawal

withdrawalAct of taking away
surrenderCease resistance, yield
capitulationComplete yielding to demands

concession · yielding · disengagement · de-escalation · submission · caving · relenting · folding · acquiescence · defeat

political

reversal

Complete change of direction

U-turnDirection-reversing driving maneuver
retreatSanctuary or withdrawal
climbdownWithdrawal from commitment

capitulation · concession · flip-flop · walkback · about-face · surrender · cave-in · volte-face · retraction · withdrawal

Opposites

commitment/resolve

backdownsholdouts

Those refusing to yield

steadfastness · doubling down · persistence · entrenchments · defiance

conflict intensity

backdownsescalations

Increases in intensity

ramp-ups · intensifications · doubling down · provocations · aggressions

Family

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G