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
Trim bushes and shrubs back at least 12 inches from the home and cut tree branches back away from the roofline.
—
Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 30 Apr. 2026
Wright, who started 42 games over four seasons at Tennessee, didn’t back away from those hopes.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Local governments across Florida have received letters from the state Department of Commerce declaring their comprehensive plan amendments since August 2024 to be null and void, have been sued or have backed away from planning changes to avoid legal peril.
—Haley Busch, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2026
When officers attempted to have Michael Barrientes Vela back away, his brothers interfered.
—Gabriella Ybarra, San Antonio Express-News, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back away
Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 30 Apr. 2026
Wright, who started 42 games over four seasons at Tennessee, didn’t back away from those hopes.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Local governments across Florida have received letters from the state Department of Commerce declaring their comprehensive plan amendments since August 2024 to be null and void, have been sued or have backed away from planning changes to avoid legal peril.
—Haley Busch, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2026
When officers attempted to have Michael Barrientes Vela back away, his brothers interfered.
—Gabriella Ybarra, San Antonio Express-News, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back away
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back away
Verb
-
For 2026, you are allowed to withdraw up to $20,000 for allowable educational expenses.—
Elliot Raphaelson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 May 2026
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The War Powers Resolution of 1973 lays out a timeline for when lawmakers must be notified of hostilities and when a president is required to withdraw American forces from a conflict in the absence of congressional authorization.—
May 1,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Coe reportedly was hospitalized several years ago with Covid-19 and had mostly retreated from public appearances since then, though it is not known whether Covid played a part in his passing.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
30 Apr. 2026
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Or, retreat to peaceful Bluffside Gardens with ultramodern cabins that offer direct trail access.—
Sarah Miller,
Midwest Living,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That Dalglish’s vast contribution in Liverpool’s domination of English football over the previous decade would have helped him in sticky spots is a reminder that Slot has little to fall back on.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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If the resolution is unfavorable to the community groups — who are also backed by the Black Political Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg — that frustration will fall back on somebody, Bokhari said.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Mary Brown retired after coaching boys and girls volleyball in the district for 19 years, including the past eight years with the Knights’ boys team.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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But, after the couple retired and migrated south to Mexico City, Hurst dove back into photography with gusto, until his death, from cancer, in 2023.—
Chris Wiley,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The price later dropped back down.—
Tiago Ventura,
Time,
30 Apr. 2026
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Newcastle’s players have had to drop back to defend Arsenal’s direct attack, so their players are now not as well-positioned to cause their opponents problems in the first line of their build-up.—
Jon Mackenzie,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Back away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20away. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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