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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of back away
By now, Switzerland, Belgium, and Japan have all backed away from their phaseout goals.
—
Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
When lawmakers voted to overturn Yoon’s surprise decree, security forces backed away.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2025
But there’s something abject about taking up such a fraught subject, wringing every ounce of suspense and dramatic potential out of it, and then backing away as though Tim’s arc is just another story of sad enlightenment.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2025
But there’s something abject about taking up such a fraught subject, wringing every ounce of suspense and dramatic potential out of it, and then backing away as though Tim’s arc is just another story of sad enlightenment.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back away
Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
When lawmakers voted to overturn Yoon’s surprise decree, security forces backed away.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2025
But there’s something abject about taking up such a fraught subject, wringing every ounce of suspense and dramatic potential out of it, and then backing away as though Tim’s arc is just another story of sad enlightenment.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2025
But there’s something abject about taking up such a fraught subject, wringing every ounce of suspense and dramatic potential out of it, and then backing away as though Tim’s arc is just another story of sad enlightenment.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back away
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back away
Verb
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Rather than a gradual strengthening of local capacity as a way of reimagining how the global development industry operates, the Trump administration’s proposals simply withdraw federal support.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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Receiver Ny Carr, who entered the transfer portal a week ago, has withdrawn and is returning to Miami, 247 Sports reported.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The Yankees’ second baseman then threw his helmet before retreating to the clubhouse.—
Chris Kirschner,
New York Times,
18 Apr. 2025
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Instead of an opportunity to gawk and marvel, The Silent Twins presents these two sisters — who retreated inside themselves and spoke only to each other for years — with a sense of complete individuality and autonomy.—
Barry Levitt,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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After receiving the lethal injection, Osgood's breathing became deep and his head fell back on the gurney at around 6:15 p.m., according to The Associated Press.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
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The 10-year yield stabilized somewhat on Monday, falling back below 4.4 percent.—
Joe Rennison,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Sharpe retired in 2003 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Apr. 2025
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Rodgers, 41, continues to weigh his options, which include signing with the quarterback-needy Steelers or retiring after 20 NFL seasons.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The bitcoin price, which soared in the aftermath of president Donald Trump’s November U.S. election victory, has dropped back as fears swirl U.S. tariffs could hit the global economy—with some analysts warning a recent bitcoin price plunge could be just getting started.—
Billy Bambrough,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
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The still image above helps to capture several of the issues at hand for City’s wide players in recent weeks, from a lack of overlapping runs by makeshift or inverted full-backs to the sheer number of bodies opposing teams are routinely able to drop back into defensive positions.—
Thom Harris,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Back away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20away. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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