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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Disney subsequently backed away from its demands and started to sell 30-second berths for $8 million to $9 million, according to people familiar with the talks. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026 There was no hint of trouble in weather or sky as the thirty-foot trolling boat Roamer cast off her lines, backed away from the dock, and moved out across Munising Bay. — James D. Oxley, Outdoor Life, 5 Aug. 2026 After questioning Comey and his wife, the Secret Service backed away from opening a full investigation. — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 31 July 2026 As Rocket Lab’s Puma backed away, True Anomaly’s Jackal executed more burns to reengage and image its prey. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 30 July 2026 Semiconductors — The VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) tanked for a fifth day, tumbling nearly 4%, as traders backed away from chip stocks. — Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 29 July 2026 The Colorado school testing Mithril's drone, a public charter school called the John Adams Academy, is tapping private funding after the county backed away from providing $200,000 for the program. — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 29 July 2026 All three officers immediately backed away from Morgan, while Kephart retreated next to his patrol car. — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 19 July 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backed away
  1. withdrew
  2. retreated
  3. retired
  4. dropped back
  5. pulled out
Verb
  • But the county withdrew from consideration over zoning issues.
    — David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
  • At Lucky Unique, none of the 57 eligible workers had received reimbursement after the supplier withdrew an earlier pledge to repay them.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of withdrew
Verb
  • After July’s momentum wreck, bullish market sentiment retreated from extreme levels, setting the table for last week’s upturn.
    — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The off-duty trooper exchanged fire through the window with the gunman, who briefly retreated and returned again, firing and hitting another victim who was trying to help and render aid.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of retreated
Verb
  • The 62-year-old Guillén, a colorful analyst on White Sox telecasts, became the 13th individual and first former manager to have his number retired by the team.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Always free-spirited, Nelson happily retired to his home in Maui and made only occasional visits back to the mainland.
    — Carl Steward, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of retired
Verb
  • But Gunther dropped back down to the mat, forcing Aldis to tap out for the victory.
    — Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Matthew Stafford dropped back, faked a handoff, turned back around and went looking for Puka Nacua again.
    — Nate Atkins, New York Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of dropped back
Verb
  • Mexican influencer César Gastélum was live-streaming outside a fast-food restaurant when two men on motorbike stopped next him, pulled out a gun and shot him in the head.
    — Rey Rodríguez, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • On the way back, Johnson pulled out the gun and shot Pulling, the driver, in the back of the head, according to court documents.
    — Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 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 14 Aug. 2026.

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