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
Trump’s favorite hometown newspaper — backing away from his previous support of the filibuster.
—
Thomas Beaumont, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
Moreover, DeSantis isn’t backing away from his support for Bell.
—Gray Rohrer, Sun Sentinel, 22 May 2026
In an interview Wednesday afternoon, Bains did not back away from the comparisons.
—Mathew Miranda
may 22, Sacbee.com, 22 May 2026
The animals all back away when the costumed person approaches.
—Joyann Jeffrey, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for back away
Thomas Beaumont, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
Moreover, DeSantis isn’t backing away from his support for Bell.
—Gray Rohrer, Sun Sentinel, 22 May 2026
In an interview Wednesday afternoon, Bains did not back away from the comparisons.
—Mathew Miranda
may 22, Sacbee.com, 22 May 2026
The animals all back away when the costumed person approaches.
—Joyann Jeffrey, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for back away
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back away
Verb
-
Hulst and Toomey decided to withdraw from the mile at the State meet.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
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Generally, the pre-tax money that’s deposited in traditional IRAs cannot be withdrawn before age 59½ without paying a 10% early-withdrawal tax penalty, unless an exception is met.—
Sarah Agostino,
CNBC,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Luna and Lee both believe frustration will die down by November about trash fees and Balboa Park parking, which the City Council retreated on by agreeing to a complex deal last month.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 June 2026
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To their credit, the Wayans don’t entirely retreat from controversy.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
4 June 2026
Verb
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By the time the survivors reached the Great Plains, the Acme and Itala had fallen back, but the Shawmut and two Fords continued to trade leads.—
Eric Moskowitz,
The Atlantic,
31 May 2026
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Lee also had a solid showing at last week’s CIF Southern Section Individual Final, quickly getting to 2 under and staying near the top of the leaderboard before falling back to even par to finish in a tie for 26th place.—
Matt Wagner,
Daily News,
29 May 2026
Verb
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After teaching at Bard College for over two decades, Sante has retired from academia and lives in Kingston, New York.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
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Deputy Public Defender Carlos Bido said in court that Perry is retired and received an honorable discharge from the military.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
Verb
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The odds of the Clarity Act being passed this year have dropped back from almost 70% on the Polymarket prediction platform, falling to just over 50%.—
Billy Bambrough,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
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Wilson told the outlet that Junie knows her way home, adding that the cat could be dropped back off at the family's property.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Back away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20away. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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