BACK (UP OR AWAY) Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

back (up or away)

verb

Definition of back (up or away)

as in to run away

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for back (up or away)

Verb

The neighbor, still on the scene, appeared to pick up another unidentified object from the ground, ABC 7 reported, but was approached by an ICE agent who told him to drop it, then sprayed a substance at the neighbor, who ran away with his dogs.

— Greta Bjornson, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2026
When an officer approached the car, Vermontay Burch, 20, jumped out and ran away, according to the department.

— CBS News, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of run away

Verb

Kathleen Wilder in 1980, who retired as a lieutenant colonel, according to the Army Times.

— James LaPorta, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2026
Davis announced plans to retire in July 2025, setting off a frenzied dash of more than a dozen candidates to represent one of America’s bluest congressional districts.

— Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of retire

Verb

Piker stumped for the Michigander in the primaries before receding somewhat.

— Abigail Sylvor Greenberg, Vanity Fair, 3 Nov. 2026
Brevard Supervisor of Elections Tim Bobanic was hopeful the waters would recede by Tuesday but was still looking for alternative polling places if the original sites weren’t accessible.

— Roger Simmons, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of recede

Verb

The arrival of fall is no reason to retreat into the usual browns, grays, and blacks—a pop of color has long been a transeasonal Jennifer Lawrence signature.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
Even when lawmakers go through with regulations, industry pushback can force retreat.

— Bob Herman, STAT, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of retreat

Verb

Secretary of State Marco Rubio pulled the plug on the traditional group photo after several European officials threatened to boycott or walk out of the snapshot that usually helps kick off such diplomatic gatherings.

— Matthew Lee, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
On the one hand, the journalist’s role is to gather information, and so walking out or not covering news events poses a difficult conundrum.

— Ted Johnson, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of walk out

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backup

back (up or away)

backups

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“Back (up or away).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20%28up%20or%20away%29. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of back (up or away)

verb

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