as in withdrew
to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable)
backed away from the snake very slowly and carefully
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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.
—Michael Scaturro, Miami Herald, 15 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
Raman has since backed away from the ban.
—Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 21 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
But there are clear signs that Miller has not backed away from his own views on immigration—including on H-2B visas.
—Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026
After several hours of station-keeping, Gemini 6—commanded by Wally Schirra, alongside rookie astronaut Tom Stafford—backed away, and began easing down to a lower orbit, preparing to reenter.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 11 May 2026
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.
—Michael Scaturro, Miami Herald, 15 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
Raman has since backed away from the ban.
—Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 21 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
But there are clear signs that Miller has not backed away from his own views on immigration—including on H-2B visas.
—Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026
After several hours of station-keeping, Gemini 6—commanded by Wally Schirra, alongside rookie astronaut Tom Stafford—backed away, and began easing down to a lower orbit, preparing to reenter.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 11 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backed away
Verb
-
Mickelson, who turns 56 next week, withdrew from professional golf this year because of family health reasons, last playing at the LIV Golf South Africa in March.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
-
In April 2025, just days after the federal court hearing, the LA County Board of Supervisors withdrew hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for LAHSA, opting to create a new county-run agency for homeless services.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Those shifts mean that while the reopening of Hormuz will still be significant, prices have already heavily retreated from their highs.—
Bloomberg,
Oc Register,
12 June 2026
-
Seeking a brief escape from the public grief that had engulfed her family, 34-year-old Jackie retreated to the White House family quarters and found the British royal entertaining her young son.—
Simon Perry,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Big Oaks hosts about 6,000 deer, squirrel, and turkey hunters and anglers annually, with some 15,000 total visitors, including bird-watchers from around the world, according to former refuge manager Joe Robb, who retired last year.—
Andrew McKean,
Outdoor Life,
18 June 2026
-
After Walter Cronkite retired in 1981, CBS Evening News host Dan Rather enjoyed running the show as its sole anchor.—
Brianna Zigler,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Edge rusher Jalyx Hunt said cornerback Kelee Ringo shouted out a signal to him before the snap, and Hunt dropped back into coverage and snagged Dalton’s throw.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
-
The odds of the Clarity Act being passed this year have dropped back from almost 70% on the Polymarket prediction platform, falling to just over 50%.—
Billy Bambrough,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
The region in May pulled out of a funding agreement that had been more than a decade in the making, leaving the future of the I-77 toll expansion project uncertain.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
15 June 2026
-
The officer followed inside and told Morales to leave, but Morales allegedly pulled out a folding knife and pointed it at the officer, according to police.—
Jose Fabian,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backed away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backed%20away. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
