as in withdrawing
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 backing away
After backing away from a controversial logo rebrand loudly opposed by many right-wing influencers, Cracker Barrel also quietly made changes to its website this week.
—
Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025
That’s how desperate Maye was, rolling right and then backing away from pressure on fourth down with the clock ticking under 15 seconds on his last snap of the day.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 4 Aug. 2025
Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025
That’s how desperate Maye was, rolling right and then backing away from pressure on fourth down with the clock ticking under 15 seconds on his last snap of the day.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backing away
Verb
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Three surveillance photos included in court documents previously reviewed by McClatchy News show Muchimba wearing USPS clothing while withdrawing cash.—
Julia Marnin,
Miami Herald,
4 Sep. 2025
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By 2008, Americans were withdrawing, and combat deaths were subsiding to their lowest level since the start of the occupation.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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With less accumulation and more melting, glaciers are retreating at an accelerated pace.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Aug. 2025
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When the event is abruptly cancelled due to a booking blunder, the four seize the chance to brainstorm a sequel, retreating to the film’s original locations for inspiration.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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This post was originally published on September 1 Bitcoin has lost steam from its recent rally, falling back from an all-time high of $124,000 per bitcoin amid a sudden crisis at the Federal Reserve.—
Billy Bambrough,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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In fact, Charon's ancient interior may be falling back onto the surface of Charon today.—
Nola Taylor Tillman,
Space.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Good on Iain for pulling out two miracles in one show.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
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The crowd in attendance for Wednesday’s feature film was less into gaming and more into mingling and content capturing, many of them pulling out their phones to record the rooftop’s decorations, drink options, seating area and the skyline.—
Joseph Hernandez
August 8,
Kansas City Star,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Lefties are also more confident dropping back-foot sliders, added Red Sox outfielder Rob Refsnyder.—
Stephen J. Nesbitt,
New York Times,
20 Aug. 2025
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As moisture increases later this week, a cooling trend will commence with temperatures dropping back into the normal range by Friday.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
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How Gen Xers’ accounts are doing Of the million-dollar-plus accounts, the majority (346,000) belonged to Gen Xers, the generation of people who will start retiring within the next decade.—
Jeanne Sahadi,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
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Conway is a third-generation firefighter who was with the Milwaukee Fire Department for more than 30 years, retiring as the department's assistant chief of operations in 2012.—
Cathy Kozlowicz,
jsonline.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backing away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backing%20away. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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