back (up or away)

verb

Definition of back (up or away)next
as in to run away

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for back (up or away)
  1. run away
  2. withdraw
  3. retire
  4. recede
  5. retreat
  6. walk out
Verb
  • The sow noticed me in that same moment and ran away with her cubs along the western trail and out of sight over the ridge.
    — Todd Orr, Outdoor Life, 30 July 2026
  • Avalos complimented his players’ ability to embrace hard work and not run away from it throughout the offseason.
    — Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2026
Definition of run away
Verb
  • The plan also calls for Israel to withdraw from the territory in phases, under a timetable that needs to be finalized, the officials said.
    — Emma Nicholson, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • Hamas wants Israel to commit to ending attacks on Gaza and withdrawing its forces.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 31 July 2026
Definition of withdraw
Verb
  • The department currently possesses 49 drones, but an unspecified number are set to be retired and replaced by the new acquisitions.
    — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Milwaukee reliever Grant Anderson threw a one-two-three seventh and got the first out of the eighth, Abner Uribe retired two batters in the eighth, and closer Trevor Megill retired the side in order with a strikeout in the ninth.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of retire
Verb
  • There were no reports of deaths or injuries, and the flood waters were receding Thursday.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
  • Rough stone walls, planted roofs, sandy plaster and warm wood allow the buildings to recede into the landscape.
    — Melinda Sheckells, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of recede
Verb
  • Exxon shares retreated about 2% in premarket trading on Friday as it’s adjusted per-share profit narrowly missed forecasts.
    — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
  • Our responsibility as university leaders is not to dismiss or retreat from them, but to confront them honestly.
    — Daniel Diermeier, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of retreat
Verb
  • As soon as the duo walked out the door, all script pages that featured the Kardashian scene were ripped away and thrown in a trash can.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2026
  • The employee reportedly walked out from behind the counter and shoved his hand away, as briefly seen in the footage.
    — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026
Definition of walk out
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.

Browse Nearby Words

backup
back (up or away)
backups
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All