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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)

Examples of back away in a Sentence

backed away from the snake very slowly and carefully
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As the man backed away, the bear scratched his hand and followed him into the house. Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 21 Nov. 2025 If an animal moves toward you, back away and give it space. Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 21 Nov. 2025 The Weeknd—real name Abel Makkonen Tesfaye—tried to back away before letting security remove the stage invader. Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025 Sunseri’s case appeared to have the upper hand in July, when The Jackson Hole News & Guide reported that the National Park Service backed away from the prosecution on the eve of the trial. Frederick Dreier, Outside, 10 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for back away

Word History

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of back away was in 1833

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Cite this Entry

“Back away.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/back%20away. Accessed 28 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on back away

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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