backed away

verb

past tense of back away
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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of backed away When OpenAI launched its Sora video app last fall with limited likeness protections, SAG-AFTRA condemned it, and OpenAI backed away within days. — Gabriel Alin Zainescu, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026 As a candidate, Hong has not backed away from her calls to defund and abolish the police. — Scott Bauer, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026 Over the weekend, most of the AI models have backed away from predictions of storm formation. — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 29 June 2026 While some states have backed away from the event, which starts Thursday, Idaho is leaning in. — Emily Carmela Nelson, Idaho Statesman, 23 June 2026 Even before Republican leaders abruptly backed away from redistricting, Wednesday’s special session felt unlike any other. — Adam Beam, AJC.com, 18 June 2026 Under his leadership, the FDA backed away from a plan in March to ban people under 18 from using tanning beds. — Kff Health News, Oc Register, 10 June 2026 Lindsey backed away onto a median and Milligan followed him. — Caroline Zimmerman may 28, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2026 But while returning from China aboard Air Force One on Friday, the President backed away from that, while also criticizing Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico, without mentioning the State Representative by name. — May 17, CBS News, 17 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backed away
  1. withdrew
  2. retreated
  3. retired
  4. dropped back
  5. pulled out
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
  • In the pandemic years, demographic experts say, under-35 adults retreated to parental homes to ride out quarantines and escape big-city crowds.
    — Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 11 July 2026
  • Disposable income has since retreated to the normal upward trendline, but no matter.
    — Michael Foster, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
Definition of retreated
Verb
  • Social Security benefits — paid mostly to recipients who are older or retired — are typically scheduled to go out on Wednesdays.
    — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • Carpino retired in April, without ever explaining what was not right in the organization or, based on the standings, repairing it.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of retired
Verb
  • No one has dropped back more over the last two years than Nix.
    — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 6 July 2026
  • Advocaat threw his arms in the air, dropped back into his seat, and wept again.
    — Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of dropped back
Verb
  • The attorney general of Louisiana later pulled out of participation in the petition, Marijuana Moment reported in June.
    — Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • The unidentified man is thought to have been sitting by the window when he was suddenly pulled out, head-first and up to his shoulders, according to Greek public broadcaster ERT.
    — Chris Liakos, CNN Money, 10 July 2026
Definition of pulled out

Browse Nearby Words

backed
backed away
backed down
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Cite this Entry

“Backed away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backed%20away. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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