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.

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

But Epstein talk has definitely been on the back burner in recent weeks, with the war in Iran especially taking precedence.

From Slate • Apr. 10, 2026

Raj: Our personal lives were completely on the back burner for three years before this year.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 9, 2025

The Dayforce study comes as Americans grapple with higher housing, healthcare, transportation and childcare costs — all immediate needs that can push retirement savings to the back burner.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 25, 2025

“I’m too upset! Put it on the back burner for later.”

From "The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm" by Nancy Farmer