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)

Synonyms of back away

• withdraw
• retreat
• fall back
• retire
• drop back

Examples of back away in a Sentence

backed away from the snake very slowly and carefully

Recent Examples on the Web

The trick is to find a way forward that doesn’t make the rest of the business back away in fear. — Bella Webb, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2026

Warnke slowly backed away, hoping the bear hadn't noticed her. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026

About 10 seconds after the first officer approached, Villegas Gonzalez put his car in reverse and backed away from them. — Sabrina Franza, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

According to the sheriff’s office, Thaxton ran towards the caller’s car, causing the driver to back away from him. — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for back away

• aaa
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• axillae
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier
• breakaway