back away

verb

Definition of back awaynext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of back away As a candidate, Hong has not backed away from her calls to defund and abolish the police. — Scott Bauer, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026 Harrowing body camera video released by the NYPD captures the frightening moments as Emergency Service Unit officers plead with the woman to back away from the edge, as sun glistened off the cold water below. — Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 9 July 2026 According to the report, Sheets' girlfriend pleaded with him while backing away and heard one gunshot. — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 8 July 2026 As the boy backs away, the family's husky mix, Bella, is seen running over from across the yard and chasing the bear away, circling behind the animal and placing itself in between the bear and the boy. — Mason Leib, ABC News, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for back away
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back away
  1. withdraw
  2. retreat
  3. fall back
  4. retire
  5. drop back
Verb
  • The judge, Arun Subramanian, later issued an order confirming that the subpoenas were withdrawn.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 23 July 2026
  • Lawyers with the Department of Justice on Thursday agreed to unilaterally withdraw a series of subpoenas that sought to compel New York Times journalists to testify about their sources and provide access their phone records.
    — Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 23 July 2026
Definition of withdraw
Verb
  • England’s response to taking the lead against Argentina in Wednesday’s semi-final in Atlanta was to retreat further and further until Messi’s inevitable impact, setting up goals for Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • All three officers immediately backed away from Morgan, while Kephart retreated next to his patrol car.
    — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 19 July 2026
Definition of retreat
Verb
  • That was his life for more than a decade — sometimes in work or a relationship but always falling back to addiction.
    — Kyung Lah, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • As with Fable 5, when Opus 5 declines a user’s request due to a safety concern, the API automatically falls back to another model, so the user gets an answer rather than an error.
    — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 24 July 2026
Definition of fall back
Verb
  • Sam Machado and his wife, Tammy Machado, who owned the property, and Tammy Machado’s sister, Reiko Matsumura, a former Yolo County sheriff’s deputy who went on leave after the explosion and retired in September.
    — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026
  • Arts administrator Alina MacNichol retired in May after 12 years, according to the group’s social media.
    — Catherine Muccigrosso July 24, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026
Definition of retire
Verb
  • The inconsistent Sparks have dropped back-to-back games since firing GM Raegan Pebley.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026
  • Alex Baena and Lamine Yamal kept Jules Kounde and Lucas Digne on their toes while dropping back to restrict their contributions in the final third.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 15 July 2026
Definition of drop back

Browse Nearby Words

back-and-forths
back away
backbeat
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Back away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20away. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of back away for Spanish Speakers

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