back away
verb
backed away; backing away; backs away
: 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
Imagine your legs being pulled out and back away from your hips.
—
Health Editorial Team, Health, 20 Dec. 2025
The government is now finally backing away from a misguided position about the risks of pot.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 19 Dec. 2025
Ball handlers would dribble close to the basket, only to meekly back away, sensing him looming.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 17 Dec. 2025
The gunman, who fell to the ground in the scuffle, is shown backing away as Ahmed points the weapon at him.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back away
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.
Health Editorial Team, Health, 20 Dec. 2025
The government is now finally backing away from a misguided position about the risks of pot.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 19 Dec. 2025
Ball handlers would dribble close to the basket, only to meekly back away, sensing him looming.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 17 Dec. 2025
The gunman, who fell to the ground in the scuffle, is shown backing away as Ahmed points the weapon at him.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back away
Cite this Entry
“Back away.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/back%20away. Accessed 28 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share