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
Between 2002 and 2003, the IRS flirted with building a free online filing system and then backed away, in part owing to private tax preparers that didn’t want to lose their grip on the process.
—
Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2026
Lopez clarified on Friday that the agency had informed Cal Fire on how to obtain search warrants with the county, but then backed away.
—Sacbee.com, 11 Apr. 2026
Since the pandemic, private equity funds and other institutional investors have backed away from oil and gas in part due to pressure from environmentally conscious stakeholders.
—Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026
And so our coalition, early in Johnson’s administration, met with the mayor and deputy mayor to establish the office through ordinance; since October 2024, the mayor has backed away from the effort and remained silent and nonresponsive about this necessary strategy.
—Michael Pfleger, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
The unidentified man backed away from Martin, still chewing the cigarette, and waved to the camera before the broadcast cut away.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Mar. 2026
After a short struggle, Delgado backed away from Broom, pulled his gun from his holster and ordered her to drop the knife, according to the report.
—David Goodhue
march 9, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
The decision comes as other global insurers have backed away from underwriting maritime trade activity in the Gulf amid concerns that vessels could become collateral damage in the Iran war.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Since the drawing of that second majority-black district, the state has backed away from that map, hoping to return to a plan that provides for only one majority-minority district.
—Zoe Sobel, NPR, 2 Mar. 2026
Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2026
Lopez clarified on Friday that the agency had informed Cal Fire on how to obtain search warrants with the county, but then backed away.
—Sacbee.com, 11 Apr. 2026
Since the pandemic, private equity funds and other institutional investors have backed away from oil and gas in part due to pressure from environmentally conscious stakeholders.
—Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026
And so our coalition, early in Johnson’s administration, met with the mayor and deputy mayor to establish the office through ordinance; since October 2024, the mayor has backed away from the effort and remained silent and nonresponsive about this necessary strategy.
—Michael Pfleger, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
The unidentified man backed away from Martin, still chewing the cigarette, and waved to the camera before the broadcast cut away.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Mar. 2026
After a short struggle, Delgado backed away from Broom, pulled his gun from his holster and ordered her to drop the knife, according to the report.
—David Goodhue
march 9, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
The decision comes as other global insurers have backed away from underwriting maritime trade activity in the Gulf amid concerns that vessels could become collateral damage in the Iran war.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Since the drawing of that second majority-black district, the state has backed away from that map, hoping to return to a plan that provides for only one majority-minority district.
—Zoe Sobel, NPR, 2 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backed away
Verb
-
Netflix withdrew from the bidding, leaving Paramount to claim the prize.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Following the Olympics, Liu withdrew from the 2026 World Figure Skating Championships, citing scheduling demands and insufficient preparation time.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
While one of them retreated to the back seat, the more mischievous of the pair sat on the driver’s chair, slamming both paws into the steering wheel to activate the horn.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The strongest lingering image of Vernon in the broader culture is still the bearded woodsman who retreated to the wilderness with a broken heart and returned with a gnomic, insular album that would against all odds come to define its era, or at least one tendency within it.—
Mitch Therieau,
Pitchfork,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The leadoff man could have been retired, but Lindor didn’t charge on a ground ball by Teoscar Hernandez, allowing the outfielder enough time to beat the throw at first base.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Pete Alonso hit an RBI double before Smith retired the final two batters with runners at second and third for his fourth save.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
When the Nissan dropped back, Mulligan signalled once more.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Daily use has dropped back down since the holiday frenzy, according to online news reports.—
John Ruwitch,
NPR,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
When a reporter asked Simmons if the White House was a good tipper, the president reached into his pocket, pulled out a $100 bill and handed it to her.—
Nicholas Kerr,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Number one, across the world, governments have pulled out of managing the economy, managing companies, and let the private sector do the job.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backed away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backed%20away. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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