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
As the officers ask Marseille to put the dog away, bodycam video shows the second officer unholstering his gun and backing away from the barking dog.
—
Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026
Body-camera video shows an officer backing away.
—City News Service, Daily News, 20 June 2026
Even before Republican leaders abruptly backed away from redistricting, Wednesday’s special session felt unlike any other.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 18 June 2026
So far, however, Manhattan’s wealthiest buyers don’t appear to be backing away.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 17 June 2026
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.
Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026
Body-camera video shows an officer backing away.
—City News Service, Daily News, 20 June 2026
Even before Republican leaders abruptly backed away from redistricting, Wednesday’s special session felt unlike any other.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 18 June 2026
So far, however, Manhattan’s wealthiest buyers don’t appear to be backing away.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 17 June 2026
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 23 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
