back away

verb

backed away; backing away; backs away

intransitive verb

: to move away (as from a stand on an issue or from a commitment)

Synonyms of back away

• withdraw
• retreat
• fall back
• retire
• drop back

Examples of back away in a Sentence

backed away from the snake very slowly and carefully

Recent Examples on the Web

The young alligator was also taken off guard, and is seen backing away in search of an exit. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2026

In a body-camera video obtained by CBS News Atlanta, the donkey is seen galloping toward the officers, who try to back away. — Dan Raby, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026

But Datko added the coach backed away from the threatened benching. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

The trick is to find a way forward that doesn’t make the rest of the business back away in fear. — Bella Webb, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for back away

• aaa
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• axillae
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier
• breakaway