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

During an encounter, experts say to maintain eye contact with the animal, try to appear as large as possible, slowly back away without turning your back on the animal and to not run. —Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 3 Jan. 2026

Guidance encourages people to speak loudly, remain calm and slowly back away. —Alan Gionet, CBS News, 3 Jan. 2026

If lions are spotted, make noise to scare them from the area, hold objects overhead to appear bigger and start backing away from the animal. —Mason Leath, ABC News, 2 Jan. 2026

His decision to back away from the White House UFC face-off coincided with the Department of Justice’s latest release of files showcasing images, documents and flight logs tied to Epstein and his wealthy entourage. —Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 20 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for back away

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