back away
verb
backed away; backing away; backs away
: to move away (as from a stand on an issue or from a commitment)
Synonyms
Examples of back away in a Sentence
backed away from the snake very slowly and carefully
Recent Examples on the Web
Despite the collapse of Ms. McDaniel’s deal, NBC and its peer networks are unlikely to back away from relying on Washington veterans to offer commentary alongside traditional journalists.
—
John Koblin, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2024
In the video, the elephant drops the truck on the ground, backs away, then approaches the vehicle again and picks it up.
—Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 25 Mar. 2024
Georgia lawmakers on Wednesday backed away from a proposal to cap the state’s $1 billion incentive for film and TV production.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 21 Mar. 2024
Several backed away from them after legal challenges.
—Bracey Harris, NBC News, 14 Mar. 2024
Instead, back away slowly and calmly while keeping your eyes on the snake.
—The Arizona Republic, 13 Mar. 2024
In the 1990s, foreign nations in Africa were swimming in debt owed to the U.S. and other creditors, which spurred nations such as the U.S. to back away from delivering loans to nations that likely would not pay them back and instead deliver aid in the form of grants.
—Emma Colton, Fox News, 12 Mar. 2024
However, Instagram backed away from plans to launch an Instagram Kids amid public outrage.
—Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2024
However, the judge backed away from an earlier ruling that would have dissolved the former president's companies.
—Michael R. Sisak, arkansasonline.com, 17 Feb. 2024
John Koblin, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2024
In the video, the elephant drops the truck on the ground, backs away, then approaches the vehicle again and picks it up.
—Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 25 Mar. 2024
Georgia lawmakers on Wednesday backed away from a proposal to cap the state’s $1 billion incentive for film and TV production.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 21 Mar. 2024
Several backed away from them after legal challenges.
—Bracey Harris, NBC News, 14 Mar. 2024
Instead, back away slowly and calmly while keeping your eyes on the snake.
—The Arizona Republic, 13 Mar. 2024
In the 1990s, foreign nations in Africa were swimming in debt owed to the U.S. and other creditors, which spurred nations such as the U.S. to back away from delivering loans to nations that likely would not pay them back and instead deliver aid in the form of grants.
—Emma Colton, Fox News, 12 Mar. 2024
However, Instagram backed away from plans to launch an Instagram Kids amid public outrage.
—Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2024
However, the judge backed away from an earlier ruling that would have dissolved the former president's companies.
—Michael R. Sisak, arkansasonline.com, 17 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'back away.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1833, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near back away
Cite this Entry
“Back away.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/back%20away. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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More from Merriam-Webster on back away
Nglish: Translation of back away for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of back away for Arabic Speakers
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