as in withdrew
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 backed away
The other officers have all backed away at this point.
—
Yahya Abou-Ghazala, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
According to police, officers repeatedly told the man to drop the knife, and backed away while continuing to tell him to drop the knife.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
The federal government has backed away from its plan to garnish the wages of those in default on their student loans.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2026
Strategy — The bitcoin treasury firm gained more than 3% after MSCI backed away from its plan to remove digital asset treasury companies from MSCI Indexes.
—Darla Mercado, Cfp®,liz Napolitano, CNBC, 7 Jan. 2026
Spotify has long backed away from wanting to fully own and operate its own shows, finding more value in serving as a tech, monetization, and distribution platform for podcasters.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
McIlroy backed away, drawing jeers, before Lowry came over to settle him.
—Brendan Quinn, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
Benson, however, remained hesitant and eventually fully backed away.
—Alex Ross, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
The request comes after the Sacramento Zoological Society in April backed away from an agreement to relocate the zoo to Elk Grove.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 22 Sep. 2025
Yahya Abou-Ghazala, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
According to police, officers repeatedly told the man to drop the knife, and backed away while continuing to tell him to drop the knife.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
The federal government has backed away from its plan to garnish the wages of those in default on their student loans.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2026
Strategy — The bitcoin treasury firm gained more than 3% after MSCI backed away from its plan to remove digital asset treasury companies from MSCI Indexes.
—Darla Mercado, Cfp®,liz Napolitano, CNBC, 7 Jan. 2026
Spotify has long backed away from wanting to fully own and operate its own shows, finding more value in serving as a tech, monetization, and distribution platform for podcasters.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
McIlroy backed away, drawing jeers, before Lowry came over to settle him.
—Brendan Quinn, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
Benson, however, remained hesitant and eventually fully backed away.
—Alex Ross, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
The request comes after the Sacramento Zoological Society in April backed away from an agreement to relocate the zoo to Elk Grove.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 22 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backed away
Verb
-
Al-Sudani secured the most seats in November’s parliamentary elections but withdrew his candidacy this month.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The Doc actor withdrew his restraining order request in December.—
Sean Mandell,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index retreated nearly 2%, leading losses in the region.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Moments later, the agents released the man and retreated.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Just because you’re retired doesn’t mean insurance is off the table.—
Andrew Rosen,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Social Security benefits — paid mostly to recipients who are older or retired — are typically paid on Wednesdays.—
Mike Snider,
Freep.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Facing third-and-goal with just under three minutes remaining, Purdy dropped back, went through his first two progressions, stepped forward in the pocket and finally found McCaffrey streaking into the end zone ahead of linebacker Nakobe Dean.—
Matt Barrows,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
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But when Herbert dropped back to pass on the next play, linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson strip-sacked him and fell on loose ball.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Maloney allegedly told Bocaya he had been harassed by police, then pulled out a knife with a 4-inch blade and repeatedly stabbed the off-duty officer in the neck and upper torso, prosecutors said.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
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But as the Power Station were about to launch their tour later that year, Palmer surprisingly pulled out and was replaced by actor-singer Michael Des Barres, formerly of the band Detective.—
David Chiu,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backed away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backed%20away. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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