Synonyms of back away

back away

verb

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

• withdraw
• retreat
• fall back
• retire
• drop back
• pull out
• give way
• lose ground
• recede
• flee
• give ground
• evacuate
• back down
• fly
• chicken (out)
• climb down
• pull away
• leave
• shrink
• bow out
• recoil
• depart
• detach
• flinch
• go
• abandon
• disengage
• disentangle
• vacate
• quit
• backtrack
• backpedal

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• advance
• face
• breast
• confront
• dare
• beard
• defy
• brave
• outbrave
• brazen

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of back away

Heim held out his arms in self-defense while trying to back away and de-escalate the situation. — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2026

Some progressives, including Mamdani and Ocasio-Cortez, have backed away from their earlier support of police defunding. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Sep. 2026

Chinese leader Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will almost certainly see the United States’ decisions to back away from defending its NATO allies as an indication that Washington will not stand by Taiwan and South Korea. — Franklin C. Miller, Foreign Affairs, 15 Sep. 2026

So, Moorehead had Lemon stand in the huddles — as a 12th player — and back away from the action when the others went to run the play. — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026