back burner

NOUN

reduced priority

Synonyms

WEAK

abeyance cold storage limbo suspension

Antonyms

WEAK

front burner

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.

In the near-term for investors, the summit could keep concerns about U.S.-China on the back burner since both leaders are focused on stability.

From Barron's • May 12, 2026

Those who were thinking about the parties' green policies said they feared climate change had been "put on the back burner".

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

I also have a couple songs on the back burner that didn’t make the album that I really really still want to put out.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

Combining SpaceX and Tesla was also reportedly floated by Musk and his executives — but that could be put on the back burner.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 2, 2026

Guilt, like pudding, began bubbling on the back burner.

From "The Princess Bride" by William Goldman