back away

verb

backed away; backing away; backs away
Synonyms of back awaynext

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 officers back away from Pretti, there’s a pause in shooting that lasts just under a second, according to an analysis of the shooting audio by Robert Maher, an audio forensic expert at Montana State University. Yahya Abou-Ghazala, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026 Protesters moved closer to the site’s perimeter before officers ordered the crowd to back away and deployed pepper balls, according to video footage and eyewitness accounts. Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 28 Jan. 2026 Worse, the show ultimately backs away from its most interesting instincts. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 27 Jan. 2026 At least six city councilors, Culpepper, Ed Flynn, Ruthzee Louijeune, Julia Mejia, Erin Murphy and Brian Worrell, swiftly issued statements or wrote to Wu administration officials expressing concern about backing away from prior commitments made to the majority-Black and brown community. Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 27 Jan. 2026 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 31 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on back away

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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