backing away

verb

present participle of back away
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

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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 backing away The mission will arrive at the moons in 2027, spend two years mapping Phobos and selecting a landing site for sampling before backing away to observe Deimos. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026 Instead of literally backing away, in this example, the person metaphorically backs away by completing the session and exiting as expected without further conflict. — Michele Patterson Ford, The Conversation, 19 Aug. 2026 Meanwhile, Carrington wasn't backing away from her use of the phrase. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026 And yet, for the first time in more than a century, the United States is not backing away. — Kevin Sieff, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026 Zoom isn’t backing away from traditional commercials, says Storin, but sees a need to shift to new tactics as digitally-savvy consumers discover services, products and brands in different ways. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 21 July 2026 Even as beef prices continue to hit record highs, Burger King is not backing away from burgers. — Hallie Jackson, NBC news, 20 July 2026 According to the report, Sheets' girlfriend pleaded with him while backing away and heard one gunshot. — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 8 July 2026 As the officers ask Marseille to put the dog away, bodycam video shows the second officer unholstering his gun and backing away from the barking dog. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backing away
  1. withdrawing
  2. retreating
  3. falling back
  4. pulling out
  5. dropping back
  6. retiring
Verb
  • The scheme reportedly involved depositing checks from accounts with insufficient funds, then withdrawing the temporarily available money, leaving the banks to absorb the losses once the checks bounced, court records show.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Numerous energy projects end up withdrawing entirely from the process.
    — Ray Fernandez, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of withdrawing
Verb
  • Achord is in the huddle every play before retreating to the sideline.
    — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Skywatchers will not only see the moon change color, but also witness the sharp, curved edge of Earth’s shadow steadily advancing across — and later retreating from — the lunar surface.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of retreating
Verb
  • The risk of debris falling back to Earth and harming someone or something is slim but not zero.
    — Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The action was stronger in the oil market, where the price for a barrel of Brent crude briefly jumped above $90 in the morning before falling back below $87.
    — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of falling back
Verb
  • Just as Alcaraz took the long view with his wrist injury, pulling out of tournaments early and ramping up his comeback slowly, for Sinner, there is no reward in risk.
    — James Hansen, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Some winemakers are reacting by pulling out vineyards, changing their grape varieties, moving further north or introducing irrigation systems.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of pulling out
Verb
  • The loss snapped Miami’s seven-game unbeaten streak in league play and was the team’s third loss in a row after dropping back-to-back games in the Leagues Cup tournament.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 16 Aug. 2026
  • But first, dropping back from a low zone along the right sideline, Pettus snared a deep pass intended for Mack Hollins amid a crowd of players.
    — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of dropping back
Verb
  • Cierria Davison took a leap of faith to start Over the Top after retiring early from Walmart during the pandemic.
    — Leondra Head, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • More American women are retiring solo than ever before and redefining what financial independence looks like.
    — Angie O’Leary, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of retiring

Browse Nearby Words

backing
backing away
backing down
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Cite this Entry

“Backing away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backing%20away. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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