as in to withdraw
to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable)
backed away from the snake very slowly and carefully
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Recent Examples of back away
As the officers back away from Pretti, there’s a pause in shooting that lasts just under a second, according to an analysis of the shooting audio by Robert Maher, an audio forensic expert at Montana State University.
—
Yahya Abou-Ghazala, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
Firefighters arrived several minutes after the blaze began, but backed away after a few protesters blocked their truck from reaching the loading dock.
—Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
In some cases, extra vigilance means that faculty have backed away from initial commitments.
—Jonathan Wosen, STAT, 30 Jan. 2026
Four more followed, and the agents appeared to back away before firing additional shots toward Pretti.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back away
Yahya Abou-Ghazala, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
Firefighters arrived several minutes after the blaze began, but backed away after a few protesters blocked their truck from reaching the loading dock.
—Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
In some cases, extra vigilance means that faculty have backed away from initial commitments.
—Jonathan Wosen, STAT, 30 Jan. 2026
Four more followed, and the agents appeared to back away before firing additional shots toward Pretti.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back away
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back away
Verb
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However, that petition was later withdrawn in 2025, the complaint said.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
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China has invested little in Russia’s economy, and nowhere near the amount that the West withdrew after Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.—
Alan Cullison,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Illinois lawmakers recently flirted with a tax on unrealized gains—think of stocks yet to be sold at fluctuating prices that only exist on paper—before retreating.—
Veronique De Rugy,
Oc Register,
5 Feb. 2026
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Jackson was disinvited from the Grammy Awards telecast the following week and largely retreated from the public spotlight, while Timberlake’s career continued uninterrupted.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Later in the week, highs will fall back into the 20s and 30s, and there will be more chances for snow.—
Joseph Dames,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
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The rocket reached an altitude of 224 miles (360 km) before falling back to Earth.—
Julian Dossett,
Space.com,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In 2018, Guthrie celebrated the fact that her brother had retired from military flying and had taken his final flight as an F-16 pilot.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
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On the supply side, Baby Boomers are aging and retiring, population growth has slowed, and there’s been a sharp reduction in immigration and an increase in deportations.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Avoiding the drop back to the Championship was the job he was appointed to do.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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On third down, Maye dropped back to pass, felt pressure and scrambled up the middle for 16 yards.—
February 9,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Back away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20away. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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