as in to withdraw
to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable)
backed away from the snake very slowly and carefully
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Recent Examples of back away
As officers yell for Martinez to stop, Stevens pulls his weapon and rapidly fires three shots through the window before quickly backing away.
—
Arkansas Online, 8 Mar. 2026
As officers yell for Martinez to stop, Stevens pulls his weapon and rapidly fires three shots through the window before quickly backing away.
—ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
The decision comes as other global insurers have backed away from underwriting maritime trade activity in the Gulf amid concerns that vessels could become collateral damage in the Iran war.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Rather than backing away from these practices, the administration has now publicly doubled down.
—Amanda Cats-Baril, Twin Cities, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back away
Arkansas Online, 8 Mar. 2026
As officers yell for Martinez to stop, Stevens pulls his weapon and rapidly fires three shots through the window before quickly backing away.
—ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
The decision comes as other global insurers have backed away from underwriting maritime trade activity in the Gulf amid concerns that vessels could become collateral damage in the Iran war.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Rather than backing away from these practices, the administration has now publicly doubled down.
—Amanda Cats-Baril, Twin Cities, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back away
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back away
Verb
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The annexation petition was withdrawn because of a resolution Castle Pines City Council will consider Tuesday to develop an annexation policy.—
Olivia Young,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
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However, five of the players withdrew their asylum claims, while two members stayed in Australia, according to media reports.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After a painful breakup, college junior Blake Logan retreats to her family's lake house in Tahoe and meets Wyatt Graham.—
Jessica Moore,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
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Now is the time for California lawmakers to reinforce their leadership, not retreat from it.—
Bob Keefe,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Your tongue might fall back into your throat, or the throat itself might relax too much, narrowing the aperture for air to get in and causing any number of the surrounding structures to vibrate.—
Gilad Edelman,
The Atlantic,
15 Mar. 2026
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Crude prices shot up above $100 on the news of the attacks before falling back a bit.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Two other House members are retiring after long careers.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
18 Mar. 2026
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Linscheid will take the top spot when Chief David Wilske retires at the end of March.—
Kristi Miller,
Twin Cities,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Waits’ last album, Bad as Me, dropped back in 2011 — the same year he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
19 Mar. 2026
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Tree pollen in Austin is forecast to be very high on Wednesday, then climb to extreme levels Thursday through Saturday, before dropping back to very high on Sunday and Monday.—
Mary Wasson,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Back away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20away. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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