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)

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.
Some groups that had supported the framework began to back away, just hours after the negotiations had appeared to be reaching the finish line. Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2025 But the proper response to that difficulty isn’t to back away. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2025 Imagine your legs being pulled out and back away from your hips. Health Editorial Team, Health, 28 Aug. 2025 After backing away from a controversial logo rebrand loudly opposed by many right-wing influencers, Cracker Barrel also quietly made changes to its website this week. Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025 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 6 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on back away

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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