BACKED (UP OR AWAY) Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

backed (up or away)

verb

past tense of back (up or away)

as in retired

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for backed (up or away)

Verb

Though raced throughout the season, the car was subsequently retired for an extended period because of rule modifications.

— Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 19 July 2026
She was considered more vulnerable than Perdue after being appointed to replace Johnny Isakson, who retired because of health issues.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026

Definition of retired

Verb

The appearance came several months after Roy withdrew from the Berlin Film Festival over its refusal to comment on Gaza.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 July 2026
That overperformance by the Democratic candidate held true in every state polled other than Maine, where the poll was conducted before Graham Platner withdrew from the race following a rape accusation.

— Caroline Soler, New York Times, 15 July 2026

Definition of withdrew

Verb

Kelly, typically a non-demonstrative engineer, retreated to the airplane bathroom and sobbed.

— Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026
But instead of pulling back, Elmi says, the founders reinvested their own capital, applied it to operating as an essential business, and secured favorable lease terms and available talent while competitors retreated.

— Sydney Lake, Fortune, 20 July 2026

Definition of retreated

Verb

About a year’s worth of rain has already fallen in southern Texas and while water levels have receded in some areas, officials urge residents to remain vigilant while heavy showers continue in areas already inundated by torrential rain.

— Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
In Kerrville, the city police department said in a noon update that while high water had mostly receded, the emergency is ongoing, with numerous road and bridge closures.

— Bill Chappell, NPR, 16 July 2026

Definition of receded

Verb

And although some of the signs are there — prices are rising by the double digits and some insurers have pulled out of the ACA — the good news is there hasn’t been a total rush for the exits.

— Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 15 July 2026
Both men then pulled out guns and shot each other, police said.

— Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026

Definition of pulled out

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backed (up)

backed (up or away)

backer

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“Backed (up or away).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backed%20%28up%20or%20away%29. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of backed (up or away)

verb

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