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
During an encounter, experts say to maintain eye contact with the animal, try to appear as large as possible, slowly back away without turning your back on the animal and to not run.
—
Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 3 Jan. 2026
Guidance encourages people to speak loudly, remain calm and slowly back away.
—Alan Gionet, CBS News, 3 Jan. 2026
If lions are spotted, make noise to scare them from the area, hold objects overhead to appear bigger and start backing away from the animal.
—Mason Leath, ABC News, 2 Jan. 2026
His decision to back away from the White House UFC face-off coincided with the Department of Justice’s latest release of files showcasing images, documents and flight logs tied to Epstein and his wealthy entourage.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 20 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back away
Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 3 Jan. 2026
Guidance encourages people to speak loudly, remain calm and slowly back away.
—Alan Gionet, CBS News, 3 Jan. 2026
If lions are spotted, make noise to scare them from the area, hold objects overhead to appear bigger and start backing away from the animal.
—Mason Leath, ABC News, 2 Jan. 2026
His decision to back away from the White House UFC face-off coincided with the Department of Justice’s latest release of files showcasing images, documents and flight logs tied to Epstein and his wealthy entourage.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 20 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back away
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back away
Verb
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The Kremlin insisted that to reach a peace deal, Kyiv must withdraw its troops from the areas in the east that Russia illegally annexed but never fully captured.—
KAMILA HRABCHUK,
Arkansas Online,
24 Jan. 2026
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Back in June 2025, Baldoni’s team withdrew their bid to subpoena Swift, and instead successfully petitioned for access to said text exchanges.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Trump’s remarks Wednesday, suddenly retreating from his threat of military force, could mitigate some of the damage inflicted on Washington’s most cherished relationships.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
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Start the day with a swim in one of the hotel’s three infinity pools before retreating to the bar for a lunchtime cocktail, or the spa for pampering.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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One thing Grande isn’t showing signs of slowing down on in the near future is acting, having fallen back in love with the artform through her time on the Wicked set.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
26 Jan. 2026
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At least three large pieces of space debris — old satellites and spent rocket stages — fall back to Earth every day on average, but researchers have only a very limited understanding of where these potentially dangerous fragments land and what happens to them in the atmosphere.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Roberts retired from coaching after last season.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Jan. 2026
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Bill Elliott, Caleb Elliott's father, retired from his position as head coach and athletic director.—
Amelia Mugavero,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Rieder’s odds topped 60% on Polymarket and Kalshi this weekend before dropping back slightly, while the previous front runner Warsh saw his odds fall sharply to around 30%.—
Billy Bambrough,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes dropped back to throw on 4th-and-short, but the Texans covered his primary target out of the backfield.—
Sam McDowell
January 23,
Kansas City Star,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Back away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20away. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.
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