as in withdrawing
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 backing away
At least six city councilors, Culpepper, Ed Flynn, Ruthzee Louijeune, Julia Mejia, Erin Murphy and Brian Worrell, swiftly issued statements or wrote to Wu administration officials expressing concern about backing away from prior commitments made to the majority-Black and brown community.
—
Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
Videos show the officers backing away, some with guns drawn.
—Hannah Fingerhut, Twin Cities, 25 Jan. 2026
The group also faces challenges in local officials’ decisions that slow local transit growth, like scaling back plans for new trolley lines and backing away from ambitious proposals to charge drivers per mile driven to fund transit.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
After initially backing away, the boy stabbed Gutierrez three times, authorities said.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2026
While backing away, the victim eventually collapsed, and Thurman walked away toward a different car.
—Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
Even as the legislation headed for victory in the Senate, some House members started backing away.
—Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
If lions are spotted, make noise to scare them from the area, hold objects overhead to appear bigger and start backing away from the animal.
—Mason Leath, ABC News, 2 Jan. 2026
After backing away from the giant mammal, the influencer then moves closer again, jumping back once more when the elephant attempts to grab him with its trunk.
—Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
Videos show the officers backing away, some with guns drawn.
—Hannah Fingerhut, Twin Cities, 25 Jan. 2026
The group also faces challenges in local officials’ decisions that slow local transit growth, like scaling back plans for new trolley lines and backing away from ambitious proposals to charge drivers per mile driven to fund transit.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
After initially backing away, the boy stabbed Gutierrez three times, authorities said.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2026
While backing away, the victim eventually collapsed, and Thurman walked away toward a different car.
—Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
Even as the legislation headed for victory in the Senate, some House members started backing away.
—Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
If lions are spotted, make noise to scare them from the area, hold objects overhead to appear bigger and start backing away from the animal.
—Mason Leath, ABC News, 2 Jan. 2026
After backing away from the giant mammal, the influencer then moves closer again, jumping back once more when the elephant attempts to grab him with its trunk.
—Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backing away
Verb
-
Uhlaender accused the Canadian team and its coach, Joe Cecchini, of intentionally withdrawing the athletes, deliberately manipulating the field to benefit one of their own sliders’ bids for qualification.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
26 Jan. 2026
-
In so doing, avoid withdrawing NATO’s commitment to defend NATO member states’ remote, former (and, in the case of Cyprus, coincidentally insular) colonial territories was thus established as a norm for the alliance, not an exception – one that is newly relevant once again.—
Barry Scott Zellen,
Hartford Courant,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The film’s opening stretch whizzes along as Charli — a natural, engaging actor — is dragged from one banal, vaguely embarrassing meeting or negotiation to another, sketchy vignettes usually punctuated at their close by Charli putting on her dark sunglasses and retreating back inward.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Trump’s remarks Wednesday, suddenly retreating from his threat of military force, could mitigate some of the damage inflicted on Washington’s most cherished relationships.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Despite a calamitous financial outlook, its share price has shown resiliency — soaring to an all-time high of almost $500 last month before falling back to around $422 this morning after the Q4 reveal.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Grande has previously shared her desire to return to theater after falling back in love with acting through the filming of Wicked.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Cecchini called Uhlaender the night before the race to inform her that four Canadians were pulling out.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Detectives say the footage showed Carballo Gonzalez handling something in the back of the truck before getting inside and pulling out of the parking space.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Rieder’s odds topped 60% on Polymarket and Kalshi this weekend before dropping back slightly, while the previous front runner Warsh saw his odds fall sharply to around 30%.—
Billy Bambrough,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Conner plays everywhere, from the box to the nickel to dropping back as a free safety.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Adam Wainwright played for Team USA in the final year of his career in 2023, and Clayton Kershaw will play for America this year despite retiring after last season.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
After retiring as an official, Kortz met frequently with friends and fellow sports enthusiasts, including at the McDonald’s restaurant at 105th Street and Cicero Avenue in Oak Lawn.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backing away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backing%20away. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
